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Starbound: Mass Effect Edition looks well worth Shepard's endorsement
An interesting mod for the Starbound beta incorporating several elements from BioWare's lauded Mass Effect series has been published online by a group known as Team SMEE. It's called Starbound: Mass Effect Edition and we're certain it's Shepard's favorite beta mod on the Citadel. The most interesting inclusion is Mass Effect's Biotics, the special abilities unlocked in certain lifeforms through the integration of technology. Both Lift and Slow have been added to Starbound, though players need to track down and learn these techniques before they can employ them. The mod also converts your personal ship into the Normandy – the original SR-1, to be exact, from the first Mass Effect. On top of the AI-controlled ship, the Asari, Turians and Human Alliance races are all represented here, as well as a slew of appropriate armor and weapon sets pulled directly from BioWare's series. Future updates are planned, and will add the Mako (why?) and Element-0 – a rare element that, when electricity is applied to it, allows for the creation of mass effect fields. In order to install the mod, users must grab Kawa's Xbawks Mode Character Creator and the Simple Extended Character Creation Mod. Then head over to the Starbound forums and follow the installation instructions to get Starbound: Mass Effect Edition up and running. Good hunting, Commander.
EA allowing official SimCity mods, imposing official restrictions
Modders have never really needed a developer or publisher's blessing to do their work, but EA and Maxis have, nine months post-release, begun to allow official mods for SimCity. There are some caveats to being an official mod however: according to a post on the SimCity blog, you can't modify any executable files (.exe, .dll, .so, etc), can't use copyrighted material, can't use material unbefitting of an E10+ rating, and cannot "jeopardize the integrity of the gameplay" or "affect the simulation for multiplayer games and multiplayer features." While the first three items on the above list could be described as "restrictive," it's the rules about "jeopardizing the integrity of the gameplay" that raise eyebrows. In March, Maxis General Manager Lucy Bradshaw tweeted that "the game was designed for [multiplayer]," and reiterated in a blog post that a single-player mode "didn't fit with our vision." So if the game was designed with multiplayer as an integral gameplay experience but mods can't affect the multiplayer simulation or "jeopardize" gameplay, this may be the most restrictive clause of all. EA also has the right to use, copy, modify and/or distribute an official mod without asking the creator's approval, without paying the creator, and without crediting the creator. So feel free to change the game, modders; just don't change it too much, and don't expect to get paid or credited.
No mods for Titanfall on PC, studio to 'evaluate' after launch
Titanfall on PC will not support mods or offer any map editor tools to players at launch. Respawn Entertainment co-founder Vince Zampella confirmed as much on Twitter, though he did say that the studio "will have to evaluate after launch." Former Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella were dismissed by Activision in early 2010, spurring a lengthy legal battle between the duo and publisher. The two would quickly go on to form Respawn Entertainment, partner up with EA and begin work on Titanfall. Titanfall launches on March 11, 2014, exclusively for the Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC. While Titanfall will remain exclusive to these platforms throughout the lifetime of the game, Respawn has said it plans to develop games for PS4 down the line.
CyanogenMod downloaded 10 million times as it begins to go legit
Though CyanogenMod has gotten plenty of ink lately for its Oppo N1 hookup and Google Play approval (and subsequent removal), it's still first and foremost a modding outfit. In fact it just crossed 10 million downloads of its custom Android ROMs, according to its latest stats. That marks a lot of folks wanting to re-skin their handsets, or give others like Samsung's Galaxy S (shown above) new life. That model, along with the Galaxy S II and S III were the most popular devices to mod, a reflection of their popularity and perhaps users' disdain for TouchWiz. It helps that you can now skip difficult command-line installs, thanks to OTA updates and new desktop and mobile apps. Now if you'll excuse us, we're going to install CyanogenMod's Android 4.2.2 ROM on our Galaxy S -- a device officially unsupported since the Gingerbread era.
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Chaos Theory: A few useful mods for The Secret World
Do you use mods in The Secret World? This was a question I have actually asked friends and colleagues as the idea of corralling the best and most useful mods bounced around in my head for a while. The irony in that inquiry is that I, personally, do not use any addons for TSW; in fact, I tend not to use them for most any game. But I do hear people swear by them, so I thought finding the best ones used throughout the community would be a helpful service. And then I set the idea aside. You know how it is -- other things jump in the way or catch your attention screaming, "Look at me! Look at me!" So helpful mods have been on the back burner, bumped in favor of other more timely matters. And then suddenly it was the timely issue. You see, once I started trying to run scenarios, one of the mods that everyone keeps talking to me about suddenly became very relevant. (If you've ever tried to do a super-quick swap using the gear manager only to find that once you're in combat, one weapon didn't make the switch, leaving you without half of your skills, you can totally understand why). Once I started thinking about that, it led me to wondering about the other addons out there. And if I am wondering about them, chances are someone else is, too. So that makes now the perfect time to check out the various addpons that players use to make life smoother in TSW.
EverQuest Next to feature a moddable UI
We're going to go ahead and just spoil the outcome of the most recent EverQuest Next roundtable discussion because Lead UI Designer Jake Sones answers the central question within seconds of the video's start. Yes, EverQuest Next will have a modifiable UI, and while EverQuest Next Landmark won't have the option at launch, it will be built to allow it in the future. Senior Brand Manager Omeed Dariani still has more questions to ask Mr. Sones over the video's full running time, but they're about not the if but the how. Sones explains that the team is hoping to build the best possible UI for the game right out of the box, but everyone's idea of what is best will be different. So in addition to building a solid core UI, the developers need to leave space for players to modify the interface according to their needs. Take a look at the full video past the cut for more views on the overall process of making a modifiable interface at launch.
Arma 3 modding contest involves pool of €500,000, potential contracts
Those enlisted in the war sandbox of Arma 3 have a shot at a real life victory - developer Bohemia Interactive has announced Make Arma Not War, a contest that will reward top-tier mod projects from a pool of €500,000. The revealing post also notes that mod projects which "show a lot of potential" could result in a contract offer from Bohemia, regardless of their standing in the contest's ranks. Participants will compete in four categories: Total Modification, Singleplayer Game Mode, Multiplayer Game Mode and Addon. The event's keystone reward, a prize of €200,000, will be rewarded to the winner of the Total Modification category. The other categories will grant scaled awards depending on a contestant's placement - first place winners will rake in €50,000, second placers will get €30,000 and those in third will get €20,000. Ten finalists will be selected for most categories (20 for Singeplayer), with the victors being selected according to four equally-weighted attributes: Technical Quality, Originality, Experience and Presentation. Applications won't be accepted until 2014, but Bohemia welcomes those interested to begin working on their project right now. Once you're done daydreaming about a future sack of money, you can also check in on the rules of entry. Submissions will be accepted up until October 28, with winners being announced on January 15, 2015.
19-year old Skyrim 'Falskaar' modder lands gig at Bungie
Nineteen-year-old Alexander Velicky's Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim mod, Falskaar, was originally meant to be part video game, part Bethesda job application. Earlier this week, Velicky posted to the Bethesda forums that while Falskaar failed to land him a position at the company of Dovahkiin and friends, he has instead found gainful employment as an Associate Designer at Bungie. You could say his acceptance at Bungie instead of Bethesda means he just had a different ... destiny. Velicky wrote that the experience gave him a "corny life lesson" he wanted to pass on: never be afraid to try. "I applied to many companies, and Bungie was in my, 'Huge company that will completely ignore me' category. Well, they didn't and look what it got me. Bungie is an awesome company with an amazing team, and I'm very lucky that they've decided to give me a chance! Never be afraid to try." Velicky thanked the modding community for their support and encouragement, saying that he wouldn't be where he is without their support and encouragement. He also noted that he's "unsure" if he'll keep modding. Velicky's top priority will be his professional work, but he specifically called out the oft-rumored - but not yet formally announced - Fallout 4 as something that he may not be able to resist. Good luck at your new job, Alexander!
2,000 hours later, Skyrim modder lands a job working on Destiny with Bungie
Having spent over 2,000 hours working on the enormous -- and enormously impressive -- Skyrim mod "Falskaar," Alexander Velicky was dead set on getting a design job in the game industry. " I set my sights on a professional design job pretty early, I lowered my head, charged forward, and rarely looked back," he said in a recent forum post. Though you might expect his Skyrim chops would land him at Bethesda Softworks, the studio behind the beloved first-person RPG, he's just accepted a job at Bungie Studios working on Destiny. Velicky spent much of the last four years working on modding, first getting his start in Bethesda Softworks' Fallout 3. When Skyrim launched in 2011, he continued working with Bethesda's modding tools, only this time he created a massive game with "20 - 30 hours" worth of exploration and questing -- he even recorded new voiceover work and a unique soundtrack. That whole cloth approach to modding assuredly helped land Velicky the new gig at Bungie, and it's not the first time we've seen as much. Armed Assault 3 modder Dean Hall created Day Z, which is now being published as a standalone project. Take that as a lesson, y'all: dreams do come true! At least if you work incredibly hard at them.
Evil Controllers now offering custom PS4, Xbox One peripherals
Third-party peripheral manufacturer Evil Controllers is now offering customized PS4 and Xbox One controllers through its online store. The store currently holds 18 PS4 controllers, ranging in price from $84.99 to $109.99. Evil Controllers also has seven Xbox One game pads, priced from $89.99 to $109.99. The peripherals are official Xbox One and DualShock 4 controllers, so the buttons, analog sticks and other components won't differ from the game pads Microsoft and Sony pack in with their consoles. There are a few versions of Evil Controllers' modified peripherals that include the custom controller brand's trademark bullet-style buttons, though.
DayZ still not ready for release
You can't really call what's happening to DayZ a series of delayz, since the game haz never formally announced a release date. But a lot of potential playerz are still waiting patiently for the standalone version to see the light of day. Lead developer Dean Hall took to Reddit recently to respond to player questionz regarding the long-awaited standalone and explain why the game still isn't out. In short, it isn't the game itself; it's the strain of keeping the game going around a large enough number of people. According to Hall, the big element holding the game back iz the continued work on ensuring client stability and framerate with a large enough number of playerz and zombiez. Hall cites 15 FPS az a bare minimum for the game to function, something that haz yet to be achieved even with existing optimizationz. Not that thiz will assuage those looking forward to playing the standalone version of the zombie survival simulator, but at least it clearz up the reasons for the wait.
TUG prepares Survival Games servers
TUG's hardcore survival mode will get its first iteration of testing with the so-called "Survival Games" coming to the beta in January 2014. The team is preparing limited, focused matches on special servers to experiment, refine, and polish its PvP systems. The Survival Games servers are a prelude to TUG's survival mode in which players are thrown onto a map and challenged to be the last man or woman standing. In addition to straight-up combat, these maps contain enemy NPCs and crafting resources. The shrewd survivalist might be able to fashion a weapon or trap on the fly to help gain an edge. As players engage in the Survival Games, the TUG team will be changing the rules constantly and allowing players to implement their own mods in order to develop the best final product. "No name handles, no global chat, and dead is dead," the team described the servers. "Expect some serious trolling from us in these matches... FOR SCIENCE!"
Multi-appendaged mod sneaks Octodad into Don't Starve
Octodad is a master of infiltration, evidenced by his covert undercover operation as father to a human family in Octodad: Dadliest Catch. But now Octodad has found himself all alone and lost in Don't Starve, Klei Entertainment's wilderness survival game, through a new mod created by Klei forum user Memoski. Mods were added to Don't Starve last month when developer Klei flipped the switch on Steam Workshop support. You can check out Octodad fending for himself in the Let's Play video above or, if you want to see how long you can sustain Octodad's new rural life yourself, wrap your tentacles around the mod right now either through Steam Workshop or the Klei forums.
StarCraft Universe reaches its funding goal on Kickstarter
There are a lot of people who would very much like to see an MMO in the StarCraft universe. StarCraft Universe isn't quite the same thing, but it manages to turn StarCraft II into something very close to an MMO. And with just one day left to go on its Kickstarter project, it has hit its funding goal, ensuring that StarCraft II players can turn the real-time strategy game into a third-person MMO-style game at will. So how much does the mod actually contain? Eight classes, vehicle gameplay, customized models, a variety of boss encounters tuned for various difficulties, in-game strategy databases, a fully voiced plotline, and crafting mechanics. There are also single-player and multiplayer components for anyone who wants to experience the game solo, and the entire project can be experienced for free without a need to buy StarCraft II. If you're interested, there's still some time left to toss money into the Kickstarter and pick up a few extra rewards.
Overkill adding 5 DLC packs to Payday 2, would 'love' to add mods
Overkill Software producer Almir Listo recently said the studio has "a year of DLC planned" for Payday 2, its multiplayer heist game that launched this week on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 (August 23 for Xbox Games on Demand). Listo tells Joystiq that five DLC packs in total are in the works. "Payday 2 - just like its predecessor Payday: The Heist - is a living thing. We have 5 DLCs planned together with 505 Games for the coming year." Listo went on to say that Overkill would continue to update the game with both paid and free content, "just like we did with the first game." In Payday 2, the same maps are recycled over many different types of jobs, suggesting a natural fit for modding support or Steamworks integration. "We would love to add support for creating community generated content," Listo said, but in the meantime the team will "continue to look into this." Listo posted a message on Steam yesterday about absent safe house customization options and Cloakers, special heavy-duty police units seen in the beta. Both will be added down the line: "The safe house is what we intended it to be at release," Listo said. "Just like Bain says when you enter the safe house for the first time, it's not much at the moment, but give it some time. He's working on it and he'll let us do some decorating soon." Finally, Listo addressed the idea of further franchise crossovers. The first Payday had a mission set in the No Mercy map of Left 4 Dead, serving as a non-canon prequel to Valve's co-op zombie shooting gallery. On this point Listo said, "We can't discuss if we have any crossovers planned right now, but we will let you know when/if that should change."
StarCraft Universe appeals to Kickstarter audience for help
Remember StarCraft Universe, the fan-made mod that turned the RTS into an MMO? The project is still going strong after two years, but its development team is in dire need of funds to push it over the hill and into open beta testing. The solution? Kickstarter, of course. Upheaval Arts hopes to raise $80,000 or more to finish the first act of the game and get it into public testing. Currently there are two races in the game (Terran and Protoss), although with stretch goals the Zerg are a possibility. The team has some respectable names attached to the project, including Composer David Orr and voice actors Danielle McRae and Eric Dieter. StarCraft Universe will require Battle.net to play and will be completely free to all. If you're concerned about Blizzard finally lowering the boom on this mod, well, don't. The team says that it's gotten the studio's approval: "While Blizzard is not directly affiliated with this project's production, we do communicate with them to submit bug reports and make technical requests. They have given their blessing/permission for us to launch this Kickstarter, and they are supporting our efforts by featuring SCU as an arcade highlight."
War Thunder video highlights planes and mods of update 1.3
'The friendly skies' it is not; not with historical warplanes waging battle across it. And with the new update 1.3, the airways in War Thunder just got a little meaner. This latest update of the dogfight-infused game will offer pilots more customization options for their planes, from both new planes (seven American, seven Russian, and one British) to more long-planned modifications. These modifications are divided into four ascending stages, each one allowing players to improve weaponry, engine performance, and durability. Higher stages are unlocked only after a requisite number of mods are purchased from the previous level. What about pilots who have already modified their planes? Devs assure that nothing will be lost -- all previously installed mods will be automatically installed in the new update. Watch the new planes in action in the update video after the break, and read up on all the upcoming changes in the dev diary and patch notes on the official site. [Source: Gaijin Entertainment press release]
Bizarre Ocarina of Time mod replaces Link with Sonic the Hedgehog
Prominent streamer Vinesauce recently broadcast some The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time footage to his fans, but with a twist: Link had been replaced with Sonic the Hedgehog. [Thanks, BPMΩ.]
Dark Souls modder introduces first-person punishment
YouTuber Soul Slasher has come up with a way to make Dark Souls a more classic RPG experience in the vein of King's Field, by switching the player perspective from third-person to first-person. Soul Slasher explains in the video above that this effect was accomplished through the use of several third-party programs, including his own custom HUD mod. Unfortunately, this first-person mod isn't available to the general adventuring public. Dark Souls is an open-world action game developed at From Software categorized by its extreme difficulty and minimalist plot. Its sequel, Dark Souls 2, is slated to launch in March 2014.
GTA 4 mod emulates GTA 5 character swapping
Can't wait for Grand Theft Auto 5? A modding group has provided a taste of Rockstar's upcoming approach, with the ability to instantly swap between three protagonists in Grand Theft Auto 4 for the PC. The character switch mod allows players to instantly swap between GTA 4 vanilla main man Niko Bellic, and DLC add-on leading men Johnny Klebitz and Luis Lopez. Klebitz is the star of The Lost and Damned, an episode devoted to Liberty City biker gang The Lost, while Lopez is the protagonist of The Ballad of Gay Tony, the second expansion to GTA 4 that tells the story of entrepreneur and club owner Anthony "Gay Tony" Prince. The mod is still under development and may contain bugs, the script notes warn, so keep that in mind should you decide to install this.
