Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
GOG’s New Modding Approach: Learning from the Daggerfall Unity Experience
Remember the Daggerfall Unity GOG Cut? Most likely not. This was essentially a pre-modded version of The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall, utilizing the impressive fan-made Daggerfall Unity engine reimplementation. The concept was simple: if you desired to experience Daggerfall without the complexities of modernizing it through modding, you could download the GOG Cut and immediately begin playing. This initiative aimed to provide an accessible entry point for players keen on exploring the game with enhanced features and improvements.
However, issues arose. The GOG Cut quickly became outdated as included mods received updates that GOG did not incorporate. Even if the GOG Cut had maintained the latest versions, some included mods were incompatible. Consequently, it wasn’t the optimal way to enjoy Daggerfall in the 2020s and was eventually removed from GOG’s storefront earlier this year, after being available since 2022.
GOG’s One-Click Mods: A Fresh Start
GOG is now attempting another dive into modding with its one-click mods program. This initiative allows users to install extensive mod projects, such as Skyblivion and HoMM 3: Horn of the Abyss. The process is similar to installing any other game on the platform, offering a streamlined and user-friendly experience. As GOG expands its support for fan-created content, the company states it has gained valuable insights from the Daggerfall Unity GOG Cut experience.
LONZERUI2024 New Mens Smart Watch with a 420Mah Large Battery, 1.96-Inch Ultra HD Screen, Wireless Calling, Flashlight Feature,, Suitable for Android And Ios Outdoor Use
Price: $0.62
Mens Gothic Hoodie - Fashion Hoodies with Retro Lace Up Design, Casual Graphic Print, Streetwear Style for Winter Fall, Great Gift Idea
Price: $1.79
[Anti-Slip Basketball Shoes] Anti-Slip Durable Mens High-Top Basketball Shoes | Fashion Training Sneakers for Sports and Casual Wear
🎉 Exclusive deal [Price: $9.19]
“In this case, the responsibility of keeping mods up-to-date largely falls on the mod authors,” says GOG’s Rudy de Marco. “They’ll have greater access than before, making it easier for everyone to trust them to swiftly update their content as needed. That’s how we plan to proceed.”
Ensuring Mod Quality and Updates
Assuming mod creators consistently update their mods, the issue of outdated mods on GOG, compared to platforms like Nexus Mods, should be avoided. However, it’s not a completely open system; GOG must approve all mods hosted on its service. De Marco mentions that the store informs studios about modifications made to their games on the platform. “This benefits both us and the mod creators. There have been instances where mods were completely shut down for certain franchises, and we aim to prevent such risks. We act as a middleman to ensure everything is in order.”
Lessons Learned
It seems GOG has progressed significantly since the early days of the DF GOG Cut. In our conversation, De Marco mentioned that setting up the DF GOG Cut was disorganized, revealing that “Our main person in charge of the GOG Cut lacked a premium Nexus account, limiting him to one message per day to non-friends.” This complicated the process of securing permissions from mod creators.
The Future of Modding on GOG
I am eager to see what direction GOG takes with modding. Recent events, such as the departure of the 24-year head of Nexus Mods, have created uncertainty in the modding community. Some users worry that the new owners of Nexus Mods may degrade the platform. This situation could create an opportunity for disruption in the mod-hosting landscape. Perhaps GOG is well-positioned to leverage this change, hopefully with a premium Nexus account in hand.