Heya everyone
But as it is with life and gaming, preferences are highly individual, so are available storage, bandwith, mod slots and whatnot....
What I'm refering to is that not everyone wants a load order of 200+ mandatory mods.
This has brought me to the idea of using a Modular approach to collections, where each module serves a specific and focused task or preference.
The end-goal I want to achieve is that everybody can get a highly modded game of their liking, while beeing able to switch between preferences, and not have a bunch of mods they dont want to use, but are forced to anyway, just because they are part of a 200+ modlist.
In order to achieve this, I want to ask you, fellow community member, to join this effort and share specialized Modules of mods that you love and play with!
However, before we start, please make sure you have set up Vortex as good as possible, check this ->>
steam guide <<- of mine.
Each module should consider the following:
- Be as minimalistic as possible (mod count & filesize wise)
- while providing "enough" varied options
- Handle depencies (see below)
- Handle DLC (see below)
- Handle Language (see below)
- Handle NSFW taged content (see below)
- other
- Be fair!
Be Minimalistic
For very obvious reasons, the fewer mods you have, the smaller the module remains, and the less incompatabilities may ocour.
Also, consider other - already existing - modules to build upon / to add later.
However, some tasks require more mods than others.
Provide enough varied options
This statement is mostly on clothing mods.
If you like 4k clothings, consider creating a collection that only adds 4k clothings, likewise for 2k - not everyone has the same machine.
Furthermore, as hard-requirements (to be installed), one should prefer mods that offer choices but do NOT overwrite defaults.
So while one may include "replacers", weapon, clothes, textures within a suitable collection, those should not be "required", unless the collection is labled/named "overhaul".
Examples:
Module 12 - Synth Overhaul
Module 40 - Warhammer 40k (ok this one is not named overhaul, but it should be clear that it is implied)
Handle depencies
Basicly, add the patches, and make the tweak mods optional.
Some mod conflict with each other, without raising a conflict message in Vortex (example: some LooksMenu mods / options are not shown when in wrong order)
Be sure to drag+drop the symbol of the first mod to the second mod so they are loaded properly (do NOT use hard slot number, this can and will cause issues in the long run)
Handle DLC / Language
While one should always use the "Same Installer Option", the exception to this rule are mods that allow for DLC / Language configuration, for which you should choose "Fresh Install" - while providing any possible steps in the "About" section of your collection.
Because if you do not, not everybody has all DLCs, or can speak german, chinese, russian or wants to play with english texts

If there is just a small DLC related mod, it can be included, but MUST be made optional, as it might otherwise causes the module to be unplayable for users without that DLC.
Handle NSFW
While there are mods that are flagged NSFW, it is my believe, that just because someone wants to have a customized body, they might not want skimpy clothing.
So please consider doing seperate modules focused on NSFW taged mods.
This said, there are exception, like - but not limited to, Heather Casdin - which has an optional mod to enable nudity for her - such a mod (specialy since both are provided by the same author: llamaRCA) should/can be included in the same collection, but MUST be optional.
Just like stated within "Provide enough varied options", make sure that replacers are optional, unless the collection is labeled as an "overhaul".
About / Description
While in most cases only the first few mods require manual steps, one might come across mods that are added "later", that do need manual tweaking as well.
Make sure that manual steps are as "high" as possible within the description text - at the very least, make a note on top that one has to follow manual steps one finds after scrolling down.
Also, make sure to give a special note to optional mods, describing them.
As well giving instructions on some required mods, as in, where to find that NPC/Weapon that is beeing added, or where that quest begins.
Stay fair!
Allthough Vortex allows for direct downloads, just because on can, does not mean one should.
For every other website that one has to login in order to download, you should tell the user to create an account there in advance.
Other websites, just like Nexus, might rely on the ad revenue in order to maintain their servers and storage space - which otherwise is free to use.
This specialy applies to mod that are available on pages like Patreon - but are not hidden behind a paywall! Respect and honor that!
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Special note for Collection-Curators
- If you have had to setup your computer again from ground up, or got a new one, just download your collection, hit that "Clone" button that appears after installation or use the drop-down you find on the right hand side of the collection edit screen. After that, you can delete the "Downloaded Collection" and the "Workshop" (which is cloned) will be kept. (Source: Discord "Next")
Discord:
If you want to join me on my discord click here: (I'll update the link once a month, if its not working, please let me know)
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https://discord.gg/E9U45PzXV <-- // valid till 6. Oct 2023
If you have made a modular collection for Fallout 4, please post its URL as reply to this thread.
Thank you

Edited by Sephrajin, 06 September 2023 - 10:13 am.