Alternative to Steam Workshop Downloader

[Earthy]

Previously, a tool named the 'Steam Workshop Downloader' was used to download mods (This was discontinued as per Valve's request). These mods could then be manually installed into games which were not featured on steam (Xbox Game Pass, GOG, Epic Games, etc). The only alternative solution would be to use the Steam CMD console to fetch mods through an anonymous user / logged account. However, some games have this feature disabled, leading to said non-Steam games lacking any way to install mods from the Steam Workshop.

This is predominantly an issue as most mods are posted onto the Steam Workshop, which is the most popular distribution method for said mods. I understand (as stated in the Steam Subscriber Agreement), that Valve does not have any such obligation to distribute workshop content. However, there is currently no alternative solution to get mods for these games, leaving a large portion of the playerbase which would like to use mods, without any other option.

I suggest a way to verify that the user actually has a licensed copy of the game, no matter the originating store, and to provide mods for such users. If this seems a bit too difficult, steam could also just allow all users to get mods without requiring a game license.

Another final option (which seems like the best medium) is to allow mod creators to have a checkbox for this. This checkbox would make their mod able to be downloaded anonymously, letting anyone download the mod (without having to own the game on steam). This would give the creators their privacy over their mods as they want, while also accounting for other creators who wish for everyone to enjoy their mods.

[Mad Scientist]

Depending on the games and the mod creators, nexusmods is an example along with moddb where you can alternatively receive the same mods, if the mod creators also put them there and the game supports manual mod installs.

[Earthy]

Originally posted by Mr. Gentlebot:

Depending on the games and the mod creators, nexusmods is an example along with moddb where you can alternatively receive the same mods, if the mod creators also put them there and the game supports manual mod installs.

While yes, these other mod hosting websites exist, if a game on steam has workshop support, it is highly unlikely for people to want to post in nexus mods. If they have the ease of access of the Steam Workshop, with the much larger audience there, then most people will not post in Nexus mods. (Which is what happens with a lot of games).

[how bout i do anyway]

Any mod developer that wants their mod to be able to be downloaded for use outside of Steam already has the option to upload it to other websites as well. If a developer does not make their mod available outside of Steam, it can be assumed that they have weighed the pros and cons of it and have decided that the advantages of Steam-only availability outweigh the restrictions. You can contact mod developers to ask them for an external download of their mod if you want, but it is ultimately up to them whether or not they want to allow it.

[live༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ]

ок

[_galaxy]

I think this is against Valve's interest. They worked on that feature and have put considerable effort and resources to create it. It also has a cost for them keeping the workshop up for games. I mean look at portal 2 with their workshop continuing to this day, while giving them mostly 0 monetary gains. It also distinguishes them from other platforms.

The best solution is asking the modder to also release the content on platforms such as moddb or nexusmods.