Difference between a modification and using the same engine?

[MJ12]

I was confused about this, what exactly is the defining difference that separates the two? Like for example, there are many source modifications, but there are also a few games that use the source engine/have some same sounds/even some same props?

Is the difference that the games have a publisher/company and a mod does not? Or is the difference that mod's use specific games to modify IE: HL2, CS:S, rather than the source engine (or whatever engine) in general?

 

[Eejit]

A game made with the engine leases it and releases for money, a mod uses the engine for free and releases for free.

 

[Shamrock]

I was confused about this, what exactly is the defining difference that separates the two? Like for example, there are many source modifications, but there are also a few games that use the source engine/have some same sounds/even some same props?

Is the difference that the games have a publisher/company and a mod does not? Or is the difference that mod's use specific games to modify IE: HL2, CS:S, rather than the source engine (or whatever engine) in general?

From left field on me behalf, but I think modifications require files from CS:S or the Orange Box, think Zombie Panic, Age of Chivalry, etc., to run whereas a game using the same engine is stand alone, think Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.

 

[Stigmata]

The difference is that mods use pre-existing content, while games built with the engine start with nothing but the engine's source code. Mods are a lot easier to make because the framework of an actual working game is already there. With Counter-Strike, they already had networking, source code, textures, sounds, sprites and visual FX, models, and other such things in place, and just had to change things around to their liking.

So to answer your question, mods are indeed just modifications of pre-existing games. Hence the name.

 

[mchammer75040]

A game made with the engine leases it and releases for money, a mod uses the engine for free and releases for free.

Unless you're gmod that is.

 

[Barnz]

Man, you ask lame questions.

 

[Apocalypse89]

I'd say that if someone made a mod that was pointlessly original in all content and most of its code, it would be indistinguishable from a full game based on the same engine. Other than the whole "can't release it commercially" thing.

 

[StardogChampion]

The difference is that mods use pre-existing content, while games built with the engine start with nothing but the engine's source code. Mods are a lot easier to make because the framework of an actual working game is already there. With Counter-Strike, they already had networking, source code, textures, sounds, sprites and visual FX, models, and other such things in place, and just had to change things around to their liking.

So to answer your question, mods are indeed just modifications of pre-existing games. Hence the name.

But if you license the engine you get given the base for a game. Just look at SiN using some of the HL2 content. There's no way they'd have to code their own networking etc.

 

[Paulaner]

A mod requires you to have components from other games (Orange Box, CS:S and so on). A stand-alone game includes and installs everything it needs.