How do I use Steam mods on non Steam games?
As Steam Workshop mods rely deeply on Steam integration and DRM limitations, they unfortunately won‘t work for games purchased and downloaded from other PC platforms. But vibrant modding communities exist outside the Steam ecosystem that offer quality mod support.
Steam‘s restriction versus open mod support
To date, the Steam Workshop boasts nearly 30 billion mods subscribed – making modding more accessible than ever. However this relies on exclusive ties to Steam game versions.
Whereas sites like Nexus Mods host over 4 million mods across various games and platforms. And ModDB has over 127,000 files focusing on older PC game modding.
Here‘s how the modding ecosystems compare:
| Feature | Steam Workshop | Nexus Mods |
|---|---|---|
| Library Size | Extremely large for popular titles | Large libraries even for older games |
| Download Method | Seamless auto-installing | Manual downloading and installing |
| Mod Types | Vast potential modifications | Also vast customization options |
| Community Features | Comments, guides, profiles | Multi-site forums, articles, dev posts |
| Platform Support | Developed solely for Steam | Supporting various platforms including Steam |
So while Workshop emphasizes convenience through Steam exclusivity, open modding communities offer far more mods that work across numerous game versions.
Striking the ideal balance for creators and gamers
As both a lifelong gamer and amateur content creator, mods have always enabled me to extend the experience of beloved games and flex my creative muscles.
Steam definitely pushes the accessibility envelope to benefit average users. But mod support should ultimately enrich games rather than serve corporate platforms.
I believe developers need to enable quality mod support across all versions where possible. And sites like Nexus should continue providing open avenues for modders to share their passion projects. This will allow mods to thrive and gamers to enjoy awesome community-driven content, breathing new life into both new releases and classics.
What do you think about the current modding ecosystems? How can we champion open access for mod creators? Let me know your thoughts!
