Pay for modding tools and modded game

[Stealthorgasm]

I was just thinking about this earlier. Would you pay for modding tools if they were say $50 for modders (also includes the ability to play modded s2tw) and then for the people who just want to play a modded s2tw have them pay $30-$50. The modding tools of course would give you full access to them game and you could pretty much do anything with it.

I would probably pay that 30-50 dollars just because the potential mods that could be created if modders had full access.

Opinions on this?

No, I'm not a CA representative.

[Raiden]

I guess I can see your point, however, to me, one of the defining things about mods is that they're free, that the people who do them do it for free, etc.
As such, I think that any mod tools a developer migh consider releasing should also be free of charge; if this were in fact to happen, that CA would let you buy mod tools, I fear only the most "hardcore" modders out there would get it and it would create a very limited group of people who could mod the game, which would in turn bring about fewer mods. And some modders might even want you to pay for their mods since they paid for the tools to create the mod, and maybe feel like they are entitled to charge some fee for people to download the mod.

Personally, since I haven't been very involved in modding since RTW, I wouldn't pay for the tools to mod Shogun 2.

[Stealthorgasm]

I guess I can see your point, however, to me, one of the defining things about mods is that they're free, that the people who do them do it for free, etc.
As such, I think that any mod tools a developer migh consider releasing should also be free of charge; if this were in fact to happen, that CA would let you buy mod tools, I fear only the most "hardcore" modders out there would get it and it would create a very limited group of people who could mod the game, which would in turn bring about fewer mods. And some modders might even want you to pay for their mods since they paid for the tools to create the mod, and maybe feel like they are entitled to charge some fee for people to download the mod.

Personally, since I haven't been very involved in modding since RTW, I wouldn't pay for the tools to mod Shogun 2.

Well, in my scenario, you would already have to pay to play a modded s2tw, so I doubt people would as well pay to play someones mod. The community here is pretty strong, so I don't think modders would do that to the community. I'd like to think the reward comes from seeing your mod in action and having it be successful, not earning money from it. I just want to see mods like Third Age for M2TW Kingdoms happen for S2TW. The Third Age mod is almost surreal with what it does.

[Khopesh]

Why pay for something that is already available for free. I mean there are mods and mod tools out there.

Or are you talking about the developers releasing an official mod tool, similar to a map editor that allows you to change a lot more of the game (the source engine itself)? Well, there are tools out there like that, such as Unreal Engine, etc. Those are specifically made for modders (Unreal Tournament being nothing more than an example of what their engine can do). Problem is these cheaper, more readily available engines tend to focus more on FPS/TPS games than Total War style games.

Personally, I think it would be better just to buy/build an engine and make your own games. If you are going to mod an already existing game like Shogun 2, then just use normal (free) modding tools, or free map editors (if the games comes with one). I find It would defeat the purpose of making a game like this if people are just going to completely remake it a different way. People may as well just play another game, or build their own game from scratch. Maybe start an indie games company or something.

[Stealthorgasm]

Why pay for something that is already available for free. I mean there are mods and mod tools out there.

Or are you talking about the developers releasing an official mod tool, similar to a map editor that allows you to change a lot more of the game (the source engine itself)? Well, there are tools out there like that, such as Unreal Engine, etc. Those are specifically made for modders (Unreal Tournament being nothing more than an example of what their engine can do). Problem is these cheaper, more readily available engines tend to focus more on FPS/TPS games than Total War style games.

Personally, I think it would be better just to buy/build an engine and make your own games. If you are going to mod an already existing game like Shogun 2, then just use normal (free) modding tools, or free map editors (if the games comes with one). I find It would defeat the purpose of making a game like this if people are just going to completely remake it a different way. People may as well just play another game, or build their own game from scratch. Maybe start an indie games company or something.

Well, we might have mod tools, but clearly they don't do much as I've seen a lot of people say how the map isn't editable and units can't be edited visually and stuff like that. When I say modding tools, I mean tools that allow you edit the game the same way Kingdoms was edited with Third Age.

Having to work with a rudimentary engine doesn't provide prebuilt items like a game would.

Yes, mod tools should be free, but I think having to buy them is better than not having them at all.

[Khopesh]

Well, we might have mod tools, but clearly they don't do much as I've seen a lot of people say how the map isn't editable and units can't be edited visually and stuff like that.

The game has been out less than 11 days. Give it time and such tools will become available.

Also, I don't think people would be allowed to make money from mods. Copyright and plagarism would stop them dead in their tracks. Even if they did have to pay for modding tools, they are still building off of someone elses work (Creative Assembly).

Saying that, if modder were not allowed to make a profit on their work, after HAVING to buy the tools - well, lets just say it would severly reduce the amount of modders and in turn, mods.

Again, such tools you are talking about will become available free over time as more and more people learn the secrets of the games engine/coding. But, if you are willing to buy a program that allows you to make your own version of a game, you may as well buy a source engine and start from scratch. You will have a LOT more creative freedom over the project, and have the opportunity to sell it.

[Stealthorgasm]

The game has been out less than 11 days. Give it time and such tools will become available.

Also, I don't think people would be allowed to make money from mods. Copyright and plagarism would stop them dead in their tracks. Even if they did have to pay for modding tools, they are still building off of someone elses work (Creative Assembly).

Saying that, if modder were not allowed to make a profit on their work, after HAVING to buy the tools - well, lets just say it would severly reduce the amount of modders and in turn, mods.

Again, such tools you are talking about will become available free over time as more and more people learn the secrets of the games engine/coding. But, if you are willing to buy a program that allows you to make your own version of a game, you may as well buy a source engine and start from scratch. You will have a LOT more creative freedom over the project, and have the opportunity to sell it.

Well, I've just seen a lot of doubt in regards to modding this game. I would love to see quality mods put out such as the ones from RTW and the Medieval total wars, though I don't think that's likely.

[ManSh00ter]

The only thing I'd pay for is access to complete developer tools which allow for full access to the game engine.

But that sort of thing usually costs a LOT. Since you can basically make a new game with such a suite.

Paying for ordinary mod tools - never. Imagine Bethesda selling their TES Construction Set.

[Stealthorgasm]

The only thing I'd pay for is access to complete developer tools which allow for full access to the game engine.

But that sort of thing usually costs a LOT. Since you can basically make a new game with such a suite.

Paying for ordinary mod tools - never. Imagine Bethesda selling their TES Construction Set.

Well, kind of tools did M2TW have that people were able to change everything?

[longboat]

I would not pay for modding tools but I would pay for AA. Oh wait I already paid for that.