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Photo courtesy of www.pcgamesn.com
These past few days Valve has announced that Steam Workshop Modders (including me) can be credited and supported by buying mods. Yes, paying for a mod. They started this system with the game Skyrim, to test it out. Modders are given 2 choices, either release the mod for free or release it with a price.
What about me? What does a Steam Workshop modder think about this "feature"? Should it be removed or allow the system do its job?
First, let me explain how the system works.
1. Workshop modder creates mods
2. Publish the mod for free or publish it as a paid item
3. Add contributors
4. Specify the game, DLC or mod required
It's easy!
To simplify my analysis, here's the Pros and Cons (for players AND creators)
Pros:
-You can set your own price (creator)
-You can refund IF 1)the mod does not meet your expectations, or 2)the mod doesn't work within 24 hours
-You can edit your own price (creator)
-Payments are sent immediately to your bank account
-Makes modders rich
-Encourages and brings new modders into the modding community, which gives them the potential to make a good mod
-Gives modders some support to make their mod better
Cons:
-Your game might be prone to be broken
-Your work can be easily stolen by another modder
-People can make cheap and low quality mods for some cheap money (no!)
-24 hours is not adequate enough to test a mod
-A mod requiring a mod requiring a mod requiring a mod? That's a big circular paywall
-If a modder has made a mod with similar content and sold it to a lower price, that modder will make more money
-Potential for modders to put in-game ads to make more money
-The original Skyrim DevTeam has been disbanded by Bethesda years ago, so the old DevTeam won't be getting their 45% (or so) cut.
-75% cut for Valve?! Really?
-Valve won't let the modder delete its own creation instead modders can "delist" them
-Copyright, Copyright Everywhere!
Plus, a lot of modders are posting their works not only in Steam, but to other non-Valve related websites, which doesn't you the option to publish your mod with a price. A donate button would be much appreciated rather than buying a mod with a fixed price.
Although this "Paid" mods might make modding better, it has a large potential to kill modding. Modding isn't about money, it's about passion. It's the thing that made PC the "glorious gaming master race".
What I think is, Valve did a great job to support modders but, there are a lot of modders out there, and some of them are good too, and I'm willing to pay for a mod if it really deserves to be paid. But there are hundreds and thousands of modders out there, and paying their mods with some serious money, sure it will make them happy. I don't mind the 75% cut. What I mind is, what if I played the game with the mod for 2 days and a game breaking glitch occurs? What do I do, cry? I can't refund it, due to the refund policies (read here). If you really want to support the modder for the great job he has done, donate. As I said, a donate button would be much appreciated than buying a mod with a fixed price.
As for me, modders do what they want, and they are doing a really great job. That's what made the PC the "glorious gaming master race" (yes I know I already said it). If you really, really want to support modders for their work, why not review his work, say thanks, and spread their work, and it's free!
As for me, a big NO for this idea.
You have an idea? Let me know what you think. Message me at my Facebook Page.
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