There is a generic aversion to using mods by some online single players (MPs have their own reasons for it) and - for them - often they can get into it by smaller 'expansion' mods which don't aim to deviate much from vanilla.

RTW 'expansion' mods, though, tend to be tweaking the big imperial campaign or swapping or adding a couple of units. I've seen very few 'expansion' mods that have tried to deliver more of the same - i.e. new provincial campaigns using vanilla as a base. Though, as DG says, that's possibly because it seems so many modders moved away from vanilla very quickly.

Aside from their value to low-key mod-users, there's also a value in these small mods of being part of the learning curve for new modders. Often, I think, someone will get into this game because they just want to personalise their game to an extent - and that project itself will start giving them the skills to get more involved in larger projects. That's certainly what happened with me.


'Add on' packs I think can be very valuable. As DG noted, typically there develops certain standard demands for mods to gain any kind of acceptance - in RTW's example slowing down the gameplay, getting rid of faction colours in skins, map extensions are all almost required. This leaves solo modders who are not talented in all areas in a bit of a quandry - being able to source work from modders talented in those areas becomes vital.

The barriers though that emerge here, though, are all about accessibility. Firstly, physically being able to find a mod pack that suits your needs, and secondly getting the necessary permissions to be able to use it.

DG makes a good point about using add on packs for research purposes, but some of the most useful add ons are textures, models, animations and map files which modders would be looking to incorporate whole.

I would suggest some kind of encouragement of the creation of 'adds on' (perhaps instead of the innumerable broad-scope dodo mods that are announced and never released) and also a greater consideration by the pack creators to allow others to use it - either by granting freer licences than is typical or by making provision for their prolonged absence or unexpected departure from the community.