New forum for mod ideas?

**King of Atlantis** · 06-20-2005, 03:33

I was thinking there should be a seperate mod forum section for mod ideas. That way the forge wouldnt get croweded and people would feel more free to post their ideas. ONce the mods get going then they could be moved to the forge.

Anyways just an idea!

**Epistolary Richard** · 06-20-2005, 08:19

It's a nice idea, but I think separating them off would just make it far less likely that they would ever gather a team and actually get moving as fewer people would see them. If you don't want to post an idea in the Forge, then you can do so in the General forum. I can remember at least one example of a one-line mod idea that was posted here which snowballed.

And I'm not too worried about the Forge getting crowded (so long as they're relevant and not threads that should be somewhere else). The mod threads that have activity on them pop back to the head of the list pretty regularly, and those which are moribund slide away to subsequent pages.

**Duke John** · 06-20-2005, 09:01

The problem is some people who have little to no moddings skills propose ambitious projects, and they just shouldn't do that. You need to be a very charismatic person if you can get other people to make your idea become reality. It also happens at game-engine forums, there are countless people who come up with an idea for a MMORPG and then expect the programmers and artists flock under their banner.

I think it might be a better idea to make an informative "How to start a mod" that shows all the hardships of starting a mod. But then few will read that...

**Epistolary Richard** · 06-23-2005, 15:19

Didn't some talented (and modest) modder already do that?

My approach has always been to only start a mod that I knew that I could finish single-handedly if I had to. Then, if others joined that would be great, but if they didn't it could still get done.

The other thing to do if you only have very specialised skills or limited time is to help out in a larger modding team. Then, when that's complete, experienced members will be far more inclined to help out in your personal mod as you'd already worked together.

**Duke John** · 06-24-2005, 08:22

Perhaps it needs an update it isn't that informative IMO, something that makes it a bit more clear that having an idea isn't enough to start a mod. And indeed as you say, one must be capable on their own to create a mod. And some links to the most used tools, which should also lessen "Help me start modding" threads.

**Myrddraal** · 06-24-2005, 08:37

The problem is some people who have little to no moddings skills propose ambitious projects

I woudn't call that a problem, since thats exactly what I did...

My idea varies a bit from u guys, anyone can create any mod, they just need the determination and will to do it. My first mod ever was WoT for VI, a full conversion and a very ambitius project, I had absolutely 0 modding skills. Throughout the entire period, I worked alone on that mod. If Rome hadn't come out, maybe I would have finished it, and now I know a fair bit about modding. Everyone has to learn at some point, and the way you learn is by trying.

**Epistolary Richard** · 06-24-2005, 09:52

Well, I found it interesting, but you're right in that links to the most vital tools and tutorials could only be of benefit. Perhaps it could do with an update to address the changing focus of the community from starting lots of new mods to completing the mods that have already been long in development. We're already talking about some ideas about how to help new modders get up to speed quicker so if they have the inclination they can contribute at a higher level in a shorter time.

Perhaps also couple this with something that helps the smaller mod teams who want new members in recruitment. I know many mods (including my own) are a personal labour of love for their creator but others who are interested in having new members might be reinvigorated by having new blood.