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アンジェル Dec 19, 2023 @ 6:42am
Do you think Steam Workshop would make modding Baldur's Gate 3 better?
Just to clarify, this is not about modding tools for Baldur's Gate 3. Modding tools clearly would make things easier, if they are good and easy to use.

It is about what people understand / imagine about Steam Workshop.

Do you really think it would make modding better in any way?

My argument as a mod creator is, that using mods from e.g. Nexus mods is better, gives more flexibility and is easier to troubleshoot.

It might be different with the game comes with a proper mod GUI, but even then it would not take certain mods into consideration which are most likely to cause issues when applied via Steam Workshop methods.

So what are you thoughts about it? What makes you think it would be better?
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Originally posted by Anima Mundi:
From what i've seen while developing unity mods for some indie games, the usual outcry for Steam Workshop support comes from a place of misunderstanding.

Steam Workshop imo can work great for those games with co-op lobbies / dedicated servers. It ensures every client has the same loadout, automatically downloads the necessary stuff, and is very fool-proof.
People see that as the easiest system because they literally do not need to read any instructions, manage files manually, it's just a couple clicks away.

That's pretty much the only advantage i see, the majority of times workshop is more of a hassle and creates unnecessary issues.
Nexus has its drawbacks too. It can be difficult to navigate for people new to a game, people need to pay attention to dependencies and all that. But it allows for a lot more flexibility, Specially for mod developers perspective, you can branch out options, add optional files and content, overall format better your mod presentation than on Steam's workshop page.

Steam Workshop is a pain when you want to remove a few mods, switch loadout around, or when a game update breaks mods.

I prefer when games have their own mod injection system within the game. But that needs to be very well implemented from the get go.

My point is i think the common request for Steam workshop comes from users who aren't particularly knowledgeable on how to use Mods and manage them, they've experienced ease of use previously in some games, so they believe it to be a better system.
They believe Steam Workshop fixes issues with injecting mods into games - it doesn't, it's simply the fact that when a company adds Steam Workshop support, they've worked out plugin injection into their game better. So it does create that illusion.

I don't think it is better, particularly not for mod developers, nor for intermediate/ advanced mod users.
The only advantage being the automatic Sync of load orders for dedicated servers/ lobbies.
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Showing 1-15 of 22 comments
donlott Dec 19, 2023 @ 6:44am 
You an use either one. I have games I still use Nexus for, even though there's a steam workshop. Skyrim is a fantastic example.
#1
アンジェル Dec 19, 2023 @ 6:45am 
Originally posted by donlott:
You an use either one. I have games I still use Nexus for, even though there's a steam workshop. Skyrim is a fantastic example.

No doubts. I am however curious because a lot of threads demanding Steam Workshop imply "miracles" which would come alongside such integration. Hence the question.
#2
Ironwu Dec 19, 2023 @ 6:49am 
Originally posted by アンジェル:
Just to clarify, this is not about modding tools for Baldur's Gate 3. Modding tools clearly would make things easier, if they are good and easy to use.

It is about what people understand / imagine about Steam Workshop.

Do you really think it would make modding better in any way?

My argument as a mod creator is, that using mods from e.g. Nexus mods is better, gives more flexibility and is easier to troubleshoot.

It might be different with the game comes with a proper mod GUI, but even then it would not take certain mods into consideration which are most likely to cause issues when applied via Steam Workshop methods.

So what are you thoughts about it? What makes you think it would be better?

Someday, maybe. But obviously not now. The crying would be non-stop as the Mods broke the game in irreparable fashion over and over again.
#3
EricHVela Dec 19, 2023 @ 6:51am 
It depends on the application. Some applications do better with Steam-managed modding as they're designed specifically for it. It keeps things centralized, but it also has requirements of modders in order to publish stuff. I don't know if Steam curates for safety or not. (I have doubts.)

From what I've seen on this side of the screen, BG3 looks like it does just fine without Steam management of mods, though it looks like it has a framework that would work with Steam. Whether it would be improved, I don't know. It would be centralized but it would also require modders to change services since Steam has its own way of management that can clash with outside editing.

Modders have already established an off-Steam presence. One might be forced to make a choice if Workshop entered the picture. In that case, Workshop would likely be a detriment.

While there's less accountability offsite, dividing the modding community between Steam and offsite I think wouldn't be worth the (minimal?) increase in accountability

tl;dr Probably not be all that great or worth it to add Workshop support to BG3.
#4
hermit0wl Dec 19, 2023 @ 6:54am 
No idea, I just use Nexus. Haven't extensively modded any games except Skyrim though.
I'm guessing Steam Workshop is more accessible for people new to modding?
#5
アンジェル Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:00am 
Originally posted by EricHVela:
It depends on the application. Some applications do better with Steam-managed modding as they're designed specifically for it. It keeps things centralized, but it also has requirements of modders in order to publish stuff. I don't know if Steam curates for safety or not. (I have doubts.)

From what I've seen on this side of the screen, BG3 looks like it does just fine without Steam management of mods, though it looks like it has a framework that would work with Steam. Whether it would be improved, I don't know. It would be centralized but it would also require modders to change services since Steam has its own way of management that can clash with outside editing.

Modders have already established an off-Steam presence. One might be forced to make a choice if Workshop entered the picture. In that case, Workshop would likely be a detriment.

While there's less accountability offsite, dividing the modding community between Steam and offsite I think wouldn't be worth the (minimal?) increase in accountability

tl;dr Probably not be all that great or worth it to add Workshop support to BG3.

I like it how you pointing out of an already observable issue. Specifically pointing towards the fact that Steam Cloud synchronisation for the savegame already requires the savegame to be mirrored which is causing here and there inconveniences, in addition to possible issues causing by the extra mirroring.

Originally posted by hermit0wl:
No idea, I just use Nexus. Haven't extensively modded any games except Skyrim though.
I'm guessing Steam Workshop is more accessible for people new to modding?

A very good point: the fact that you do not need to register extra on sites like Nexus mods is a valid point why newbies would be hesistant to use a third party website but okay with Steam Workshop, which is supposed to be trusted and checked.

But like EricHVela I doubt Steam actually check them any more than Nexus mods does. And it kinda is reassuring that Nexus mods, a site specialised on mods, auto-scan uploaded mods for possible malware - which is technically supposed to be unnecessary und unlikely effective to begin with.
#6
Woldy Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:03am 
Hell yea, easier access to mods and you dont have to go through the hoops of nexus and the ever annoying vortex client.
#7
アンジェル Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:06am 
Originally posted by Woldy:
Hell yea, easier access to mods and you dont have to go through the hoops of nexus and the ever annoying vortex client.

No one uses the Votex client.
#8
Woldy Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:08am 
Originally posted by アンジェル:
Originally posted by Woldy:
Hell yea, easier access to mods and you dont have to go through the hoops of nexus and the ever annoying vortex client.

No one uses the Votex client.
then why the hell did they make me download it?
no wonder i cant get ♥♥♥♥ to work.
Last edited by Woldy; Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:08am
#9
アンジェル Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:17am 
Originally posted by Woldy:
Originally posted by アンジェル:

No one uses the Votex client.
then why the hell did they make me download it?
no wonder i cant get ♥♥♥♥ to work.

No idea what exactly you mean.

But

a) you do not have to download Vortex

b) you should not use Vortex because it is known among modders to cause issues

c) in all of my mods I made it crystal clear in the installation instructions not to use Vortex - I do not even remember, aside of Skyrim where it is established, that any mod creator approves the usage of Vortex. But then I also do not make mods for every game.
#10
SPEAKER MAN Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:22am 
It is mod tools access we need, not steam modding support
#11
hermit0wl Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:25am 
Originally posted by アンジェル:
c) in all of my mods I made it crystal clear in the installation instructions not to use Vortex - I do not even remember, aside of Skyrim where it is established, that any mod creator approves the usage of Vortex. But then I also do not make mods for every game.
Oh, that's another thing... I have a suspicion that a lot of people who would prefer to use the Workshop may not be too keen on reading instructions :)
#12
アンジェル Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:27am 
Originally posted by hermit0wl:
Originally posted by アンジェル:
c) in all of my mods I made it crystal clear in the installation instructions not to use Vortex - I do not even remember, aside of Skyrim where it is established, that any mod creator approves the usage of Vortex. But then I also do not make mods for every game.
Oh, that's another thing... I have a suspicion that a lot of people who would prefer to use the Workshop may not be too keen on reading instructions :)

And that actually makes me fear A LOT that Steam Workshop integration would cause more issues than without ;_;
#13
Cthulhu Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:55am 
this is a good gam but not a good game to be modded for several reasons im lazy to explain.
best thing that could be happen imo is the release of a Game Master Mode, or worlds creation tool. that's all
#14
76561198007484948 Dec 19, 2023 @ 7:57am 
I am all in favour of a Workshop and would love to see one ASAP< please!
Yes there are some great Mods on Nexus already, but they are very fiddly and almost impossible to load and get to run properly. ALso, every time there is an update or patch, it makes all of them redundant so they have to be deleted & re-installed when compatible with the new patch, or watch for an update.
A Workshop too on Steam would make integration so much easier.
#15
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Date Posted: Dec 19, 2023 @ 6:42am
Posts: 22

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