An Introduction To Game Mods For Noobs

Game mod, or simply ‘mod’ or modding’,  is a term or a slang often applied to PC games. The term is derived from the word ‘modify’ since it basically refers to the act of altering a game software of a piece of hardware in order to include certain functions that were not originally developed or conceived by the original software/hardware designer.  Players in the gaming community often utilize the term to refer to modified PC games or an entirely new game content (that they made themselves), which they usually share to other gamers online.

One thing noobs should know about game mods is that they are not meant to be used as a standalone software application. This means that in order to be able to use the mods, the player need to have the original release of the PC game. They will have to run the game mod using the original game release. Game mods normally include new functions or game elements, such as weapons, enemies, levels, game modes, music and story. Moreover, game mods are typically created to take place in exquisite locations, but like the original game release, mods can be played as single- or multi-player.

Types of Game Mods that Noobs Should Know

Mods come in three general forms. Mods created to introduce new content to an underlying game or the original game is referred to as partial conversions. Meanwhile, mods that are made to come up with an entirely new game are called total conversions. Mods designed to simply fix game bugs are referred to as unofficial patches. A good example of a successful total conversion mod is the Team Fortress. This mod was a total conversion from the original hit game, Quake. Due to its great success, Team Fortress 2 was developed and released.

Mods Are Made to Enhance the Gaming Platform

Game mods are made to create additional interest in the game and to make it more challenging. Since PC games are open to changes or modifications, this gives modern gamers the opportunity to alter the function of the game with ease. Truth is, you do not have to be a professional software developer in order to create a mod of an original game. Distribution of mods is also fairly easy thanks to the internet. The World Wide Web offers a budget-friendly medium to distribute game mods, which is a significant factor to the commercial success of PC games, like the mod for Counter Strike, for instance.

Simple Steps to Modify A PC Game

Modding a game does not require newbies to learn about software development. In fact, it is possible to do a simple mod of a game with little or no programming needed.  Here is an easy modding how-to steps for noobs.

• Find the game folder and look for common file types that you want to modify or replace.
• Alter the .ini file using any type of text editor available, like notepad, for instance. Though it is also possible to alter certain .cfg and .dat files, if you happen to see funny symbols do not pursue with the modification.
• To modify image files (i.e. .bmp, .jpeg, .jpg, .png), you can use paint or photoshop.
• If you want to alter the music used in the original game, all you have to do is to replace the audio files from the game. These audio files are used to provide the game’s soundtrack or sound effects.