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How Modding Made Bethesda Better: GDC 2015 Level Design in a Day
The presentation discusses the history and impact of modding on Bethesda games, highlighting its connection with user-generated content and its role in the gaming industry. It emphasizes the benefits of mod support, such as community development, extended game longevity, and the democratization of game creation. Moreover, it explores how modding has influenced both game design and the professional trajectories of developers.
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How Modding Made Bethesda Better: GDC 2015 Level Design in a Day
- 1. How Modding Made BethesdaBetter Joel Burgess, Senior Designer
- 2. A Note AboutThis Presentation These slides have no speaker notes. I will be posting a free, written transcript online at a later date. Please feel free to contact me for details on how to access that. (contact info on last slide) In the meantime, please enjoy!
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- 8. Epiphany: Cross-Discipline Tools ●I cannot program, therefore: I cannot make games.
- 9. Epiphany: Cross-Discipline Tools ●Programmers can create tools that empower other creators
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- 11. Overview ● This talkis about: ● The history and significance of modding ● Modern relevance of modding ● How Bethesda is intertwined w/modding ● The hidden benefits modding has provided
- 12. Modding? ● Mod =User Modification ● Total Conversion, HD Assets, Unofficial Patch, Tweaks, New Levels, etc… ● In General: Any user content
- 13. Historical Context ● ModScene of 90’s PC era
- 14. Historical Context ● ModScene of 90’s PC era ● Attractive to aspiring creators ● Junction of Cutting Edge and Accessibility
- 15. Silicon Graphics Octane2 • OpenGL chip • Dual 550mHz processors • 8GB SDRAM • 1920 x 1200 max resolution MSRP $75,000 (1997) 3Ds Max R2 $3,495 (1997)
- 16. Unreal • Fully 3DEnvironments • Free Level Editing Tools/Documentation • Compatible w/Consumer-grade hardware • ~$1,000 - $5,000 Retail $50 (1998)
- 17. Historical Context ● ModScene of 90’s PC era ● Attractive to aspiring creators ● Junction of Cutting Edge and Accessibility ● Brought together vocal/active communities
- 18. Historical Context ● Similarto the Indie scene of today ● Unity:2010 as Hammer/Unreal Ed:1998 ● Attracts vocal, driven creators
- 19. What Mods CanDo Past, Present, Future
- 20. Mods Blaze Trails ●Mods attempt what “Big” games may not ● Experimental, Unusual, Risky
- 21. Mods Become “Real”Games ● Blurred lines between mod and new game ● Can become standalone games
- 22. Mods Launch Careers ●Mods & Individual Creators
- 23. Mods Found Studios ●Mod Teams can become “Pro” teams
- 24. Mods Create WholeGenres
- 25. Mods & ModernDev Are Mods Relevant Today?
- 27. “User-Generated Content” ● Thehot Buzzword of GDC 2015?
- 29. Recent Games SupportingUGC ● Far Cry 4 ● Disney Infinity ● Minecraft ● LittleBigPlanet ● Project Spark ● Mario Maker ● Halo’s Forge
- 31. User Generated Content ●Buzzword implies new concept ● But creation as play goes way back
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- 35. Timesplitters 2 (2002) Tenchu 2:Stealth Assassins (2000)
- 36. High Heat Baseball2000 (1999)
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- 43. Bethesda & Modding Anabbreviated history
- 44. Bethesda Games ModdingHistory Morrowind 2002 Oblivion 2005 Fallout 3 2008 Skyrim 2011 Steam Workshop 2012
- 45. Benefits of ModSupport (The Obvious Stuff)
- 46. Mod Support Benefits ●Obvious Benefits: ● Develop Community (social)
- 52. Mods as Expression ●Enthusiasm can extend beyond the game ● Fans want to express this enthusiasm ● Streaming ● Online discussion & Forums ● Fan-Created Music/Video ● Cosplay, Fan-fiction, etc ● Making & Playing Mods!
- 53. Mod Support Benefits ●Obvious Benefits: ● Develop online community (social) ● Extends lifespan of games (sales)
- 55. Mods Can SellGames Typical PC/Console Sales Pattern PC Console Launch Sale Price Drop Bundle
- 56. Long-Term Sales TaperOff Over Time PC Console Launch
- 58. Mods Can SellGames • Long-term replay value
- 59. Mods Can SellGames • Long-term replay value • Notable mods keep game in public eye
- 60. Mods Can SellGames • Long-term replay value • Notable mods keep game in public eye • Game becomes platform for mod(s)
- 61. Benefits of ModSupport (The Less Obvious Stuff)
- 62. Less Obvious Benefits: ●Modular Data Format for ease of integration
- 63. Collaborative Data Format Plugin ESM Plugin ESM PluginESMPlugin BaseGame Master File (ESM)
- 64. Mod integration w/BaseGame Base Game ESM Mod 3 Mod 2 Mod 1
- 65. Less Obvious Benefits: ●Data format cleanly adapted to DLC delivery DLC! DLWTF?
- 66. Mod/DLC integration w/BaseGame Base Game Mod 1 DLC 1 Mod 2 Mod 3
- 67. Figuring Out DLC ●Modular Pipeline as Head Start, but… ● What do we make? ● What deployment issues exist? ● What should we charge?
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- 69. Yup. Horse Armor. ●Proved DLC deployment pipeline ● Led way for more complex DLC ● Gave internet something to make fun of
- 71. DLC: The “New”Mods? ● Love it or Hate it… DLC is here to stay
- 73. Post-Release Choices ● 1985:Sequels ● 1998: Sequels, Mods, Expansions ● 2015: Sequels, Mods, DLC, UGC, IAP, Updates
- 74. Modders & PaidMods ● Modders Get Paid ● Games Live Longer ● Direct Fan Support ● Everyone wins
- 75. Mod Support Benefits ●Less Obvious Benefits: ● Observe “alternate realities” of your game ●Like: What if Fallout 3 had greenery?
- 79. Alternate Realities ● Ideaswe avoided, cut, scaled back etc ● Less polish required, no canon restrictions ● Able to reveal unexplored paths
- 80. Alternate Realities Oscuro’s Overhaul InfluencedFallout 3 level systems Deadly Reflex Inspired Skyrim archery feel Open Cities Attempted prohibitive layout concepts
- 81. Mod Support Benefits ●Less Obvious Benefits: ● Community Documentation & Practices
- 84. Mod Support Benefits ●Less Obvious Benefits: ● Publically-accessible training tool
- 85. Mod Support Benefits ●Less Obvious Benefits: ● Influence on internal tools design
- 86. Eat Your OwnDog Food ● Temptation for just-good-enough tools
- 88. Responsibilities: • Editor Tools •Data Loading Systems • ESM Optimization • Visibility Systems • Actor Template Systems Responsibilities: • Editor Tools • Interface • Facial data • Material properties
- 89. Eat Your OwnDog Food ● Temptation for just-good-enough tools ● “Will modders use this?” test ● How Intuitive is the workflow? ● What are typical mod use cases? ● How frequently is this feature used?
- 90. Mod Support Benefits ●Community/Social ● Sales Lifespan ● Versatile Data Format ● DLC Pipeline ● “Alternate Realities” ● Documentation & Tools Design ● Hiring & Training
- 91. The “Modder Mentality” ●Resourcefulness ● Prioritizing Intent ● Swiss Army Knife Developers ● Professional Finishers
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