I started a mod and got carried away... need opinions.

[Khet]

Alright, so I don't know a whole lot about modding, I'll be the first to admit it. I've been learning everything as I go, and there has been a LOT to learn. However, I would like how people TRULY feel about this, whether one person could actually pull off say a semi-decent beta or if I should cut it down to my original idea and be happy... well, here's what happened.

 

I wanted a library so I could keep all my books in, which was simple enough. Build a large room, throw rows of bookshelves in it, adds some chairs and lights and voila, but while making the room I stumbled across a wicked trapdoor/wall so I decided what the heck, and then there were tunnels. Well, now those tunnels leads into what I've started making into an underground city....

 

But, what I fear is that with one person working on this, since there's no way I can/would pay people, all the scripting that would be needed, the hours of time spent decorating each and individual room and countless other variables... should I scrap it and just reduce it to say the original library and maybe a few tunnels for storage/bedroom of sorts?

 

I want honest opinions from modders here. I'm not looking for things like "That sounds awesome!" or "Wow, stupid idea." I'm looking for whether or not I should even BOTHER for the endless amount of time it would take to perhaps get a beta (all the eyecandy done, some NPCs living their lives and all) before even considering adding cutomized quests/voice acting/whateverelse.

[LHammonds]

Do what you want to do. If that means making a never-ending mod that never gets released but that makes you happy, then go for it.

 

If your goal is to have a cool library, I'd suggest stopping there and just having a cool library. Then create another mod that adds a cave network, then merge it with your library and link it by adding a trap door to your library and then stop there with a small cave network. Then create another mod that adds a small part of a city (well a few dwellings in a more open cave area) and when that is done, merge it into your library mod and link the tunnels together. Then create another small section, merge and then link. You might get a better feeling of accomplishment doing it this way without the need to feel like you are in over your head or have to release something eventually because you got several other people to help you (and thus feel depressed if you never do).

 

LHammonds

[HouseAtlantic]

I stumbled across a wicked trapdoor/wall so I decided what the heck, and then there were tunnels. Well, now those tunnels leads into what I've started making into an underground city....

 

But, what I fear is that with one person working on this, since there's no way I can/would pay people, all the scripting that would be needed, the hours of time spent decorating each and individual room and countless other variables... should I scrap it and just reduce it to say the original library and maybe a few tunnels for storage/bedroom of sorts?

 

I know enough about working in the cs to say you're doing fine with your project, to be honest I'm doubtful you'll be able to recruit modders for this, besides they'll just obscure your perspective of what you want your house/dungeon to look like. Do your own thing

 

I want honest opinions from modders here. I'm not looking for things like "That sounds awesome!" or "Wow, stupid idea." I'm looking for whether or not I should even BOTHER for the endless amount of time it would take to perhaps get a beta (all the eyecandy done, some NPCs living their lives and all) before even considering adding cutomized quests/voice acting/whateverelse.

 

npc scripting and dialog can be rough, if you hit a real dead end, go ask on the forums for help, you may only need to do that if you have a complex quest involved as far as scripting. it is very time consuming, i've talked to people who have spent months just fixing things in one mod, or making story-lines for their quests, but this is like your first mod so you might as well get as much practice in as possible. i was just thinking yesterday, it's pretty important to hold on to your first projects, as novice as they might seem looking back, it keeps you wanting to improve by saying "I could have done this better, or that.. why did i leave an empty space there?" imo

[Vagrant0]

I would say to do whatever you want. Your intentions for making this mod sounds like it was for your own use, so there is no reason to ever release it. It sounds more like this is a good learning experience for you, and a good place to test stuff without being limited by what "fits" or doesn't "fit", be thankful. Often these sorts of mods are exceptionally useful later on, after you've stopped working on them, or lost interest since you can often find yourself doing similar things in your new projects, and can see how you did them earlier. Many of the mods I've made have never been finished, released, or were even made to really work, but still prove to be useful when I'm figuring out how to do things for the current project. So I say, keep at it, do whatever you feel like doing, and leave the tough questions for when you really want to make a mod for others.

[Khet]

Well after working on it I did start to get the idea of releasing it someday. I'll still work on it, that's for sure. I've actually scaled everything back, removing a lot of the doors for now which I suppose I can always add later (by remove I mean set them to need an unexisting key, heh) Anyways, thanks to those that posted. It just seems to me that something like this couldn't even be close to possible to a single modder, let alone a newb modder.