Best way to get into modding?

[SuspiciousHero]

Hello, I'm sure you're tired of seeing all of the new people asking stupid questions, but I've got a few more to ask. I'm brand new to modding and i'd like to get into it, what would be the best way to do it? Should i start with learning coding? If so, how should i start? I've always had trouble finding simple tutorials online. I have some neat ideas for games that i'd love to start making, but simply put i have no idea how or where to start. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

[AGreatWeight]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu0tgzBRv0M - the first 2.5 minutes isn't aimed at you as such, but the rest raises some very good points. It's best to start off simple, and work your way up from there. Most likely those ideas you have for things to add to the game won't be the first things you end up making.

 

Be aware that it'll take a LOT of time and dedication (not to mention frustration when things don't work, or you make a mistake that takes hours to rectify) & that even something that you think would be simple like getting a retexture into the game can take a lot of sweat and tears for a new modder.

 

It really does depends on what your trying to create & what you want to achieve, you'll find that slow methodical incremental steps that increase your knowledge base along the way will serve you best, but it will take a long time so be prepared for the long haul. Those neat ideas may be on the backburner for a couple of years whilst you figure everything else out first and familiarize yourself with all the tools you'll need.

It's difficult to give advice to a question as nebulous as 'how should I start modding' so apologies if you haven't found this response as helpful as you'd have hoped for, but I am speaking from experience, and after six months I still know so little, and there is so much to learn. I will say that time is going to be one of the biggest obstacles you face.

 

A good place to start for advice is here - https://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/forum/3935-fallout-4-creation-kit-and-modders/ Read as much as possible, and good luck.

[TheMastersSon]

Great video and some very sage advice imo. The only shortcut I've found to learning is to look at Oblivion's vanilla scripts for examples of how it works, in addition to reading the tutorials and guides. Each author of these guides has a different experience level and programming approach, and when first starting out, I was more confused by many of them than educated. So look at Bethesda's scripts, they're at least as good as anyone else's for learning purposes and studying them will save you lots of trial and error.

[soupdragon1234]

Ok, heres my advice: start simple. Don't get overwhelmed with a huge project because its all too easy to become bogged down and disheartened. Secondly it sound like you don't have a clue what you want to be doing? You need to focus on exactly what you want to achieve: there are different type of modders: 3d modellers, scripters, quest writers, house designers etc. Most modders tend to fall into a particular camp and while one moddder may be an absolute genius when it comes to 3d modelling i.e. creating weapon sets or armours he may know diddly squat about scripting or quest design, ever wonder why that amazing player home you downloaded you can acquire for absolutely free? No quests, tasks, or even a purchase price from the Jarl's Steward? Its because they know jack **** about those other things. Not to criticize them but what I'm saying is modding is a broad church and its rare you'll find someone who has the skill set across the board and conversely why collaborations are sometimes the best mods out there, because each collaborator is playing to their strengths.

[JimboUK]

Mod other peoples mods, tinker with them and see that happens, it's how I learned,

[baduk]

I hope that if you have a probelm making a mod and the answer is not found by searching the forum. You make a thread asking about the problem or telling the solution when you solved it.

 

Actually the part about making a thread to tell a solution doesnt really happen tho nobody does that. Bit it is a way that modders can help one another without having to be in collaborations.