Where did you guys learn how to make mods?

[Whitman82]

Making games is somtething i would realy like to do when i get out of the house, but i have ZERO experience doing it and i don't think i should just go to a school for it, and not know what i'm doing. Some of you guys have made bots and mods, where did you learn how to do it? What programs did you use and all that. Think you could point me in the right direction? Sure i don't know how to do anything now, but i think i could get use to it after a few years of practice.

[HangFire]

How to make an entire mod?

Well... First you'll need to be able to code, learn a programming language, preferably C++. Theres mountains of books to help with that.

It might be hard to learn C++ right off the bat. The languages I know I learned in this order: QBasic, Visual Basic, Java, C++. My knowledge of c++ is pretty basic, never really got into it.

If you're too cheap to buy a book, google for tutorials on programming in specific languages. Its possible to learn C++ right off the bat, but I'd reccomend a simple language first like QBasic just so you can learn the fundamentals of programming.

Coding is essential for mod making and bot making. Some people enjoy programming, but I hate it. I lose a little piece of my soul every time I debug a nested loop.


After, learn to model. I think GMax is a good program, can't really remember. MilkShape is also not bad. Each program has a tutorial on how to model.

Also learn to skin the models, the modelling program should also have a tutorial to explain it.


Then learn to make maps in the engine your mod is in. With HL2 they use "Hammer", every engine has its own map editors. They're usually quite simple to learn and use.


Then you'll probably need to learn how to make sound effects. Have a good microphone and an audio editing program like Soundforge.

Making a mod is usually a huge deal, so its probably best to learn one of the skills in making one, develop a unique idea for a mod, and gather a team to help you.

[Whitman82]

Is C++ the newest/best one to learn about? Also, are the mods actually made using a program like c++? Or with the games editor?

[HangFire]

C++ is probably the best.


Most popular games have an SDK (software dev kit) that has all tools to mod the game. Go to the developer's website and there should be an SDK.

I can't really help you much beyond this, as the only game that I ever made a mod for was Doom, and its modding methods are a lot different from current games.

[Maleficus]

I started out with regular old BASIC a LONG, LONG time ago. Then Qbasic, then C.

I wouldn't recommend just jumping into C++ - its very complex and difficult to understand if you've never programmed before. Start with something simple, like Qbasic or C to just get your feet wet.

Making mods isn't easy - and everyone here is probably self-taught. It will probably be a good year or two before you will actually be able to produce a full blown mod. If I were you I'd focus on what your good at: are you a good artist? Then leard art programs. Better at game logic or AI - then be a programmer. I wouldn't mix too many things at first - it will just overwhelm and discourage you (making a mod is a LOT of hard work!).

One really easy way to learn how to mod a game is to get Quake 1 and play around with QuakeC. Its not real C, its more of a subset, but its a really easy and fun way to learn the basics, while at the same time, modding a well known game that has loads of tutorials and community support. And you don't need any fancy tools if cash is short, because id software and the community provide them all (compiler with source/various IDEs/model editors/texture editors/map editors/etc).

I've known many modders who got their start with Quake - even learned how to program/map/model/texture/etc by using Quake. Give it a shot if your interested. It may be old, but its very flexible, and its the daddy of all the 3D shooters you play today.