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TriplisTrip's avatar
7 years ago

(BAM) Build-A-Mod Collaboration

(B) Build

Sometimes I have ideas and then jump on them before thinking them through. This is one of those cases.

The idea is this: We build a mod together. I will piece together the technical bits and you folks will be designers. I will offer input on design as well.

Your job is to offer ideas, proposals, detailed suggestions, it's up to you.

Before your imagination soars into the stratosphere and hits the International Space Station, I must regrettably make it clear that there will be some hard limitations. Here is a working list of them (I may add to this later if I've forgotten important bits):

Limits (meaning, I can't do this):

New animations (unless you are a skilled animator, this isn't going to happen, as I am most assuredly not - and if you are, we'll still need to do some back and forth on how exactly the animations need to be structured and what kind of ways they can be implemented into an interaction)

New VFX (I don't think it's possible to add new ones with modding, if I even knew where to begin in making them)

New objects, CAS items, etc. (this is just not something I've personally done with TS4 modding, so I have no idea where to begin)

Anything that requires new UI elements added to the game (e.g. I can't something like the Vampire Powers menu or the Clubs menu... new pie menus, however, are relatively easy)


Most else is likely realistic and I will clarify if I think it's not.


(A) A

As in, A meaningless section of the main post. I came up with this idea because I know a lot about how to mod for this game, but I don't have a lot of time to invest in it anymore.

There are a few reasons why this might be an interesting way to make something, without causing problems for me in terms of distraction and time spent. For one, I studied game design in college and took design very seriously in my mods, which meant I spent a lot of time on designing. If I'm working with you folks, I can get your input on things as well! For another, if it's a collaborative project, I don't need to keep track of everything in my own head and documents and your interest in it will help pin my attention over a long period of time.

I also just think this might be fun and give some people a more up-front experience making proposed designs for a game mechanic. Which brings me to...


(M) Mod

I will try to show the behind-the-scenes process of the technical creation of the mod, so that you can be a part of the whole process.

I don't have a plan for concrete phases for the project; this is probably going to mimic how flexibly I make mods myself. My general plan is to make it a flexible process that can adjust depending on how many people are involved and how quickly decisions get made, how quickly partial implementations of ideas get crafted to test them, debate is had, etc.

That said, the first part is clear: Brainstorming

We need a concept for what we want to make, first.

Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be "big." Some mods make small changes, but can have a significant impact for some players, such as the Skill Lock mod I made, whereas others just balloon out of control, like the Sorcerer Mod.

Size is not the key factor in quality here. The key is creating an addition to the game that is enjoyable to use and (ideally) does not get boring after using it once, since The Sims 4 is a game where you encounter the same things over and over and over.


(Collaboration) Conclusion

Let me know if you have any thoughts on the process, or questions, not just ideas for a mod. I absolutely don't have a concrete plan on this and I have no idea what I'm doing (er, that came out wrong - I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to this particular plan... I have some idea what I'm doing when it comes to modding).

Build with me if you'd like! Or don't.

BAM.


P.S. I expect people to be respectful to one another in collaborating together on this project. Please try to remember that the key word here is fun. Fun mod, fun collaborative experience. This is not a competition and there are no awards. My ego is big enough for all of us, so you don't need to bring yours. I brought enough for everybody. And as the biggest ego in this room, I will take full responsibility if this project is a disaster. Thank you.

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