Modable Mod and or Mod Site

[RyRy]

I had this idea, that started out thinking of a way for people to build up expereince or their portfolio wether it be in modeling, coding, texturing, scripting, animation, sounds for wether it be for fun, or for a future career.

I wanted do somthing different other than just a Mod database, cause that is already out there, and there only are a handfull of promising mods, that i would have even considered working for, me being a modeler i wanted a challenge and somthing to show off skill but at the same time i wanted a decent mod with promising gameplay that would actually make it through production and be enjoyable to play.

So i came up with something that might help everyone with the problem i was getting i php/database site with profiles of course, and certain "jobs" that that person has, also people that are register and have any "job" anything that goes allong with modding, can also create tasks, small jobs for the other people that are in the database, so basicly a network of people creating work for people, it could be anything from a few of these people getting together to make a mini mod, lets say a modeller wants to make a jetbike and put it into hl2 as a serverside addon/mod he only knows howto model and animate, ok so he puts a task out there for anyone he wants, to texture/make sounds/coder, to make it happen. This idea can work any way anyone would like it to. Or could be as simple as someone wants a logo for their mod outside of the database, so a 2d artist whips up a quick sprite for him. This makes it easy for mods to be created and for people to build up expereince/ or a portfolio. (wasent sure though if i should make it to where only people who have a mod trade/skill can post a job or task..input? to weed out the people who dont know jack bout any trade ) Could also include many other elements to the idea of this site, like personal portfolios and such. This could also span accross multiple games and engines abroad you could even have the site customized for your specific job that you do with templates of the site geared twords jsut mappers or just modelers, or jsut mod leaders, or whatever position your into, so that only modeling tasks pop up, or only a certain engine or game like source etc... , where tasks pop up for you personally that someone has requested or a list of tasks in like a classified section that are in que,

This idea also sprung the idea of a mod, making minimods into a complete conversion on the source engine, a mod that lets the server decide what type of gameplay/ what models, to include by using specific popular mini mods that have been created on the database, along with models and other art and sounds but polished into this source mod, making it a sort of a mod community mod. You couldalso even set servers so that the players in it could vote on variables of what or how to play etc..

I would like to hear any suggestions or ideas that anyone would like to add to either of these ideas or both. Or what you would think or would you even make use of a site like this?

 

[Crispy]

So, to summarise:

Site aimed at getting Modders from every discipline together to work on a commissions basis. That is, Mod Makers submit commissions (jobs they need doing) and Modders take on those jobs. Or, Mod Makers approach Modders with good portfolios to do one-off jobs. Modders would have more opportunity to work on different projects and broaden their range of styles and skills. Mod-Makers would not be forced to take on Modders for long periods, instead having the opportunity to trial them, after which they could approach them for a permanent position on the team.

---

It would have to have a good search system and member groups. If you needed someone to UV-map a weapon model you could search the "UV Artists" group. When a member took on a task his current project would be indicated on his profile. This would let Mod-Makers know how busy they are. Additionally once a task (having been offered to said member) is accepted the "open" commission would become "taken", to let others know they need not apply. Of course, as I mentioned before, the Mod-Makers could approach Modders directly (without posting an open commission in their profile).

Also I can see this being very good if Modders could apply to have a small bit of webspace on the site, just enough for a gallery to display their work (max 10 thumbnails). They would also each have a profile to show their past experience, in a C.V.-style format:

1998 (September-October)
Began and completed firstmap - a standalone HL single player level

The underlined title of the work would hyperlink to an image of the Modder's work.

---

This would work a lot better than dredging through forums and asking for people to show their previous work, and also get people to understand that you do need to take some initiative in training yourself up to around intermediate standard before you move on to Mods. Those that didn't have any experience wouldn't have any images in their gallery. Perhaps coders would be able to post a file or portion of code they wrote, or just be more precise in the portfolio section. Mod Leaders would post homepage and download links to their previous Mod(s) (to prove that they successfully managed the Mod and ensured its continued availability long after it was complete).

Could work quite nicely.

 

[RyRy]

Not really mod makers commisioning tasks, but the modders themselves, instead of aiming this site at a total specific mod or team, this is aimed at the individuale and their many or individuale talents. I Love your ideas, a history, and yes i was going to include a gallery thats what i meant by their own portfolio, I couldnt afford at first anyway to afford the bandwith on such a site which is why at first the site must rely on proplr linking images to make their gallery or portfolio until i or the site could afford to pay for bandwith and space so that people may upload images and or completed tasks/comissions. Love the input....

Also this would require alot of php/mysql database programming if anyone is intrested and expereinced in php/database and or graphics for the site please let me know if you would be willing to help create and or administrate or maintain the site as well.

 

[Crispy]

Just a thought: If Valve trialed a scheme like this they would further secure their foothold on the modding scene (just think about how many Mods would be better on another engine but choose Source for the larger player and modding bases left in the wake of Half-Life's legacy).

 

[Crispy]

How do Modders commission eachother tasks?

"I challenge thee to make an axe worthy of a dwarven King!"

I don't follow where these projects would spring up from? Are you thinking like a DeviantArt thing but for all artistic disciplines to do with Modding?

 

[RyRy]

I thought about that as well, at first i was thinking going to valve if this took off at all and using them for support so that people can use the steam platform to DL these files and mini mods or whatever is created from the site, then i thoughtalso if valve took over the whole thing, if it would be a good thing? or a bad thing? the thing is valve is looking to expand their distribution platform steam to other companies i wouldnt think they would limit this site if they had control of it to just their engine, but rather, promote their steam distribution software with it, to modders of all games and engines...hmm good point

 

[Crispy]

Yeah even though we are on a HL2 Community Forums I do think that working on other engines encourages progress in all directions. No one engine can be thought of as covering all bases, so promoting experimentation in only the directions permitted by the Source engine probably isn't best for Modding in general.

 

[RyRy]

there would be basiclly in one way or another a task submit button which would lead you to a form to fill out describing and using any refernce material for anyone who wants to take on the task, you can specifiy if you want only certain people who are also registered to the site to complete the task or you can submit it to a somewhat classified section for anyone to take on, you can specifiy if you want people to apply, meaning they will all apply when they want and you can go through their profiles/portfolios and see which you want to take on the task, or you can leave it open, making to where many people will complete the task for you giving you many models, or art to chose for your liking but still everyone who completed the task it will be noted in their completed tasks history, i guess you could somewhat say its a website rpg of modding lol....

on theother side people who have completed more tasks will be praised maybe in some form of ranking, also...people who have high ranks can give grades on others completed tasks...but everone can use the maybe 5 star rating/voting or review and crtiqe for completed tasks that people have done...

 

[Crispy]

If you introduce ranking then it's succeptible to corruption and bias, even if you limit the voting to members only. If you really want voting then I would limit it to people who have registered in that same field (ie. only those registered as texture artists can vote on . There's only so far appreciation can go when "critiquing" a work of art. To really understand what makes something good it takes one to know one.

While you will get some people registering for all disciplines, it's much less likely for someone to register as a mapper if, when asked, they know nothing about mapping than for someone to rate a map as being good simply on a few screenshots. It would help minimise the chance of a crappy map getting good results if it was only marked by its peers. Of course there would have to be certain guidelines for marking a work. Maybe someone's first map would never get higher than a 10/20 but this would be the norm and accepted as such.

Before you open up the marking I would get experts from each field together to work out a rough system for giving marks. These would be guidelines on what the work needs to fulfil its requirements, it's content (practical) and style (esthetic). It sounds quite pretentious, and I say this not to promote an elitist process but a fair one where each work is rated on its merits. The only way to learn is through critique, and a well defined marking system would allow even beginners to understand why they and other beginners (experts, even) were losing marks in certain key areas. Areas which they could then go back and improve upon or work on for future designs.

This brings up another point, that of updating your work. If your work was originally given a mark by someone and you went back and vastly improved that element, the voter should have the opportunity to change their vote (not vote again as this will make a bigger allowance for bias).

The grades and stars thing could work as well, allowing both the public and the expert to give opinion.

 

[RyRy]

right, maybe not ranking just the grade thing, or if you vote you must provide reasonable review which is also posted...

but along with what u just said and the whole ranking thing grade ting i was trying to come up with some kind of incentive, cause thats the onlyproblem with this site, is that most people want somthing other than expereince and challenge of it, for what they have completed...hmmm we could have contests with an actuall payout prize held eventually, once either advertising revinue or donations take place, but that wouldnt be unless the site got underway, which i still have the problem of actually starting the site out with somthing other than expereince and challenge to attract modders... even though in my opinion is incentive enough.

 

[Crispy]

Well it doesn't have to be a cash prize. To be regarded highly by your peers is an accolade in itself. You could have competitions at different levels: entry level (beginners) contest, intermediate contest, expert contest but all asked to do the same thing. It would be a great way for beginners to see the difference between their work and the best examples, and the intermediates would be able to think about using more advances techniques, and their effects.

 

[RyRy]

---- ALSO TO NOTE: could always make out the frame of the site. obviously no users, allowed to register yet, and propose it to gamespy.com or even valve, i know that gamespy gives webspace and for mere advertising and direction to fileplanet downloadable files could be hosted on fileplanet. i would think it would be in valves best intrest to support somthing such as this seeing how they basicly started the support movement for modding/mod community. I just wouldnt want them to take it over and corrupt it in anyway making it a pay site or only available to their engine, or somthing of the sort. ----

tru so now i guess the only problem is maintaining and adminstration of the site, and building...Even though i have decided i will dedicate myself to all of these, and i will actually start as soon as possible on this site, it will become.

But i wonder where would be a good place to get help from, time to look in other forums as well i guess, anyone available?

 

[Crispy]

---- ALSO TO NOTE: could always make out the frame of the site. obviously no users, allowed to register yet, and propose it to gamespy.com or even valve, i know that gamespy gives webspace and for mere advertising and direction to fileplanet downloadable files could be hosted on fileplanet.

Best to start it that way in any case, get the format cleared up before people start using it.

i would think it would be in valves best intrest to support somthing such as this seeing how they basicly started the support movement for modding/mod community.

Modding's been around longer than that.

tru so now i guess the only problem is maintaining and adminstration of the site, and building...Even though i have decided i will dedicate myself to all of these, and i will actually start as soon as possible on this site, it will become.

These words have a particularly poignant note as I just finished watching Trainspotting.

But i wonder where would be a good place to get help from, time to look in other forums as well i guess, anyone available?

 

[Yorick]

Also this would require alot of php/mysql database programming if anyone is intrested and expereinced in php/database and or graphics for the site please let me know if you would be willing to help create and or administrate or maintain the site as well.

Yeah, it will require tons. I'd definitely be interested in it if you were able to do it though. But NOT if it was in ANY way affiliated with Gamespy/Fileplanet.

Just a thought: If Valve trialed a scheme like this they would further secure their foothold on the modding scene (just think about how many Mods would be better on another engine but choose Source for the larger player and modding bases left in the wake of Half-Life's legacy).

I'd rather have Valve keep making awesome games, to be honest. They help out the mod scene tons as it is already.

Btw Crispy you stopped mailing me =(

 

[RyRy]

Alright, iknow quite a bit myself, if ur up for it and anyone else please let me know. im working on sort of a ruff design document for the site now, so i make sure i have everything in order and all the features we want. i dunno if i want to post it though, wouldnt want it in the wrong hands...lol... but yeh, ive decided seeing how its not taken yet either to go with modifiedterritory.com i got territory cause i got a thesaurus and another word for community is territory, i saw it as kind of authoritative yet structured, and modified cause thats what this is all based on. if anyone wants to help i suggest we find a way of a little more privacy or not taking up threads on here.

 

[Nagash]

if you do a ranking thingy, you could have many category filters for ranks. Like you could have all jobs, like anything from coding to mapping, then you could have sub categorys for like advanced, intermediate, easy work. This is because someone could complete say 20 easy jobs in the time someone dos 10 intermediate ones, or 2 advanced ones. Then you could also filter out the types of people who submit the job types, if someone just wanted you to texture their replacement css gun model, they would class as a normal registered member, but then you could also have people who are making server addons, mini mods, mods, all the way up to TC's. These people are going to have websites for their work, so they can prove who they are. This makes ranking more secure because they could submit for approval of different account types. Also don't forget a "time until completion" note for each job. Doing 100 jobs is all very well, but if you take 6 months on each easy task, thats bad also the artistic theme would be a nice little extra. It's no good making metalic sci-fi when you can only make organic realism.

This all would allow for some very specific ranking systems that people could filter out, which is no doubt what people would want. If you are looking for a fast worker capable of advanced work in the field of modeling, and with a cartoony feel, it's no good having a simple list of who's done the most work

if you are needing the help, i would gladly put my name forward as i'd be very interested working on a project like this one. Contact me via PM here, or via MSN ( [email protected] ). I'll show you examples and such if you contact me, but for the record, i have some experience in running online communities as well as web design/layout, so i think i can be of help to you with this.

 

[Crispy]

I'd be interested in contributing and giving early feedback, but you might have guessed that already

 

[RyRy]

alright, i must goto work now, but, ill be back, i might purchase the domain and get a temp production forum going for this so we can organize, but i think for now i wish feedback to be public in public forums such as these so people can hear about it.

 

[RyRy]

if you do a ranking thingy, you could have many category filters for ranks. Like you could have all jobs, like anything from coding to mapping, then you could have sub categorys for like advanced, intermediate, easy work.

A form of seraching and filtering and catagorizing tasks / completed tasks / profiles and prettymuch everyhting in the site is based around this search/filtering/categorizing system. Sort whatever you want however you want.

This makes ranking more secure because they could submit for approval of different account types. Also don't forget a "time until completion" note for each job. Doing 100 jobs is all very well, but if you take 6 months on each easy task, thats bad also the artistic theme would be a nice little extra. It's no good making metalic sci-fi when you can only make organic realism.

approval i dont like that word just yet, not until i get some help, i cant sift through the so many accounts to approve their status/account type. Think automated database. yeh you will have newbs and worthless crap but thats where the filtering system comes in handy.

if you are needing the help, i would gladly put my name forward as i'd be very interested working on a project like this one. Contact me via PM here, or via MSN ( [email protected] ). I'll show you examples and such if you contact me, but for the record, i have some experience in running online communities as well as web design/layout, so i think i can be of help to you with this.[/QUOTE]

Awesome...contacting.. ..

Ive decided for now I will include a section here: http://www.smileclan.com that will be for the production stages of Modifiedterritory.com go here for the design document as well

 

[Angry Lawyer]

An open sourced mod would be an interesting idea, if you could work out all of the issues around it.

-Angry Lawyer

 

[RyRy]

An open sourced mod would be an interesting idea, if you could work out all of the issues around it.

-Angry Lawyer

well i also liked the idea of this, but like so its not copletely possible which is why this site would come in handy, if it was pretty active so much content would be pumping out it would be easily as to make a task to create an open source mod with this site.

-also side note- the forums are up, with the design doc on there... please register and discuss there for this upcoming site, if you wish to support it, DO!!! @ http://www.smileclan.com or http://www.modifiedterritory.com (is active)

 

[Nagash]

by approval, i mean similar to how moddb does it. Like you can sign up your mod there, but until someone sees that the mod actually exists, your mod doesn't appear on their searchable directory, etc. This would just stop people signing up fake acounts to give themself rewards. This system would also work under the knowledge that you have a few people on your team to check accounts and approve them.

Also, an open source mod could work, thou i think it would work better if you did this website first, then the open source mod could be built and added after a while as an extra feature. This type of mod would need careful planning, so would take longer to create than perhaps the website would