Modding

As stated by Wikipedia:

"Modding is a slang expression that is derived from the verb 'modify'. It is a term generally applied to PC games, especially first-person shooters, role-playing games, and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer, and can be entirely new games in themselves, but mods are not standalone software and require the user to have the original release in order to run. They can include new items, weapons, characters, enemies, models, textures, levels, story lines, music, and game modes. They also usually take place in unique locations. They can be singleplayer or multiplayer. Mods that add new content to the underlying game are often called partial conversions, while mods that create an entirely new game are called total conversions Mods that fix bugs are called unofficial patches."

So if you haven't already guessed, I've gotten involved with modding, an avocation I just recently took up Monday. After following the progress of my good friend Jedi_Mediator for years, his influence in this field has finally inspired me to begin work of my own. But first, here are the main categories of modding and the gereral terms that should help you understand a bit more about the process of modification (I borrowed some of Jedi_Mediator's words here).

Mapping

A map is any video game level that someone can walk, fly, drive, bounce, float in -- or however the character(s) in that game move about the levels. Mapping depends on brushes, textures, shaders, models -- basically what comprises most of the other modding categories. Starting out, though, it's perfectly acceptable to use default material as a means of getting by. The best mappers, though, in my opinion, have found their way around all categories of modding, and use those to their advantage. Remember, when you map, you have the power to create new worlds in addition to depicting the real one.

Modeling

The utilization of a computer program that attempts to simulate an abstract model of a particular system.The way a character, tool, item, or vehicle is physically represented in-game is dependent on this.

Skinning

Learn the ways of Photoshop and modify the appearance of any character model you choose, in any manner you wish. This skill goes hand-in-hand with texturing.

Texturing

An image applied to a polygon to create the appearance of a surface. Textures aren't really released as a feature in standalone mods all that often. Every once in a while, a "Photorealistic Textures Mod" will come around, like Qarl's Texture Pack for Oblivion (a VERY big hit). Otherwise, making your own textures is usually something you get into after spending a while with mapping or modeling.

Effects Editing

Good old special effects. You see them all the time in movies these days, but effects in video games run instead on the game engine, and they are generated by the computer in various forms, limited by certain parameters that their author sets in place. These usually take less time to make than maps.A fairly laid-back modding experience, with which one essentially gets to make lightning, fire, explosions, and any other phenomena you can think of. However, you will need to have at least a basic understanding of shader editing, and perhaps texture editing as well, to take it up.

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