How to make a mod for Vortex.

[Predman1227]

Hello.

I wish to learn more about modding for Vortex, the steps it takes to get a mod to function with the mod manager.

For awhile I assumed Vortex worked on Directory folders alone.

For example, Halo The Master Chief Collection uses Directory folders to let Vortex know what game it's modifying.

 

The mod's files would look something like this. halothemasterchiefcollection/mods/Halo CEA Rebalanced/halo1/original/build/maps

This is what a Vortex compatible mod for Halo looks like, with the key folder being the halo1 folder. This is the folder where the modified files are kept and is the folder that tells Vortex what Halo game it's altering.

 

But recently I discovered not all Vortex compactible mods follow this format. For example, the mod Beyond Base Building for No Man's Sky, doesn't use the same system like the halo example uses. Instead it uses PAK and LUA files to accomplish the same goal.

My knowledge on game code is poor, so these file types are alien to me.   

 

Basically I want to understand how these systems work, because I've encountered too many modders who have shown their mods be Vortex compatible, when in reality they aren't.

For example, the Swordmanship mod for Elden Ring shows on its mod page it can be downloaded through Vortex, and with no External or Nexus requirements mentioned on its page. Yes it entails how to install it using Modengine, but that's not how I want to use it. I want to use the Vortex option shown on its page.

So I downloaded the mod, install and enabled it through Vortex.

Once that was all complete, I launched Elden Ring in offline mode like the mod page recommended and tried it out. Nothing changed. None of the modifications showcased on the mod page took place in my game. So I looked at the mod's files and assumed it wasn't working because it had no Directory folder. So I made one, moved the mod files into it and ran the game again. But I was met with the same outcome. The mod would not function.  

Here's a link to the mod page in question for reference.   https://www.nexusmods.com/eldenring/mods/557

 

I hope someone here can educate me on how to fix these errors, so I can hopefully then teach what I've learned to others so they can get their mods to work for those who use Vortex like myself.

If you've read this far, I thank you for your time and hope you can help me with my problem.      

Edited February 1 by Predman1227

[showler]

Your main issue is that the ability to install a mod with Vortex does not remove the requirement for Modengine to make the mod work.

[Predman1227]

31 minutes ago, showler said:

Your main issue is that the ability to install a mod with Vortex does not remove the requirement for Modengine to make the mod work.

I was hoping to avoid that outcome.

But if the mod requires Modengine to work, then why have the option to install it through Vortex at all?

It's misleading and frankly annoying for people like me who solely use Vortex for their modding interests.  

[showler]

Vortex INSTALLS the mod.

Modengine2 makes the game capable of using the mod.

Similar to Bethesda games where Vortex can install all the mods, but some of them are going to need the script extender in order to function.

It's not misleading...it's two different functions.

[Predman1227]

5 minutes ago, showler said:

Vortex INSTALLS the mod.

Modengine2 makes the game capable of using the mod.

Similar to Bethesda games where Vortex can install all the mods, but some of them are going to need the script extender in order to function.

It's not misleading...it's two different functions.

Ah, I see your meaning now.

Would have been helpful if the author of the mod had put that in their description, then there wouldn't have been any confusion.

Thank you, this was very helpful. 

Edited February 1 by Predman1227