The world of game modding is not just about creativity and passion; it's also a potential source of income for many. With the rise of platforms like Steam Workshop and the Minecraft Marketplace, modders have found ways to monetize their skills. But how much can you really make from game modding, and what are the legal implications? Let's dive into the details.

How Much Do You Make from Game Modding?

Modding games can be a lucrative endeavor, especially on platforms like Steam Workshop. Mod makers have the freedom to set their own prices for their mods. Game modding does have quite high conversion rate. Based on our studies, if you are modding, building shaders or tools for popular games, 51.56% of your free members are willing to pay an average of $5.47 USD per month.  The top modders have an average of 5300 paid members and earn up to $29,000 USD per month!  Though it's important to note that Steam takes a 30% commission on all sales. For Unifans, as a membership platform, we only charge 5%.

However, the earning potential varies greatly depending on the game and the popularity of the mod. We find the categories members are most willing to donate are weather control, shader, and extra fan demanded game features. In terms of games, simulation game are the top games that members are consistently willing to wait patiently and pay monthly. The table below is aggregated by a marketing research agency.

• Assetto Corsa - a creator can earn between $47K to $90K monthly
• GTA - earning up to $70K USD
• CarX Drift - earning up to $20K USD
• Sim - earning up to $20K USD

How Much Can You Make from Modding Minecraft?

Minecraft modding stands out as a particularly profitable venture. According to a report by Microsoft, the Minecraft Marketplace has enabled modders and creators to earn a staggering $350 million. This marketplace allows creators to sell their mods, skins, and other content, providing a substantial revenue stream for talented modders. From a membership platform perspective, not surprisingly, the conversion rate for modding Minecraft is a bit lower, with 27.57% being paid members and willing to pay up to $5.03 USD per month. The top Minecraft modders have an average of 970 paid members and earn up to $4900 USD per month!

It's important to note that while direct sales of mods are prohibited under Minecraft's EULA, modders can still earn through other means like donations or Unifans subscriptions.

Is Game Modding Legal?

The legality of modding games can be a gray area. In general, modding is legal in many countries, including the UK and US, as long as it doesn't infringe on the game's copyright. However, the stance on modding varies from one game developer to another. Some developers embrace the modding community, while others may have strict policies against it.

As mentioned above, for Minecraft, any mods created from scratch belong to the modder, and they're free to do what they wish with them, provided they don't sell them for money or try to make money from them in a way that violates the EULA.

Most Popular Modded Games

Certain games have become hotspots for modding, with communities that continually push the boundaries of what's possible. Minecraft is undoubtedly at the forefront, known for its vast array of mods that range from simple cosmetic changes to complete gameplay overhauls.

Other games with active modding communities include:

1. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Famous for its extensive modding community, Skyrim has tens of thousands of mods available, transforming everything from graphics to gameplay. Skyrim VR came out on 2017, though not the best VR game, it does offer the most immersive experience. Image fighting a dragon above your head and skydiving off cliffs. On Dec 6 2023, Skyrim had an update where anyone can now apply to become a Verified Creator and monetize their work.
2. Elden Ring - One of the games that is worth to play on PC with mods if you played on console, especially you can play with people cooperatively. Though PVP would not be available.
3. Fallout series - This is a series that you really need to appreciate the game modders, especially Bethesda. These passionate madlads literally made a new Fallout games including all the items, quests and characters.
4. Starfield - Took us years to wait for this one to come out and, sorry to say, its not very interesting. Bethesda better hope the modding community can save the game...
5. Grand Theft Auto 5 - Another game that has extend longevity through the modding and streaming community. Rockstar, the company made GTA, even made one of the fan-made patches official for all future updates.
6. Garry's Mod - A sandbox game that is practically built for modding, with a massive array of user-created content. Tweak around with Valve's super cool physics engine, or check out some of the minigames the community's cooked up.
7. Half-Life and Doom - The modding community for Half-Life is still going strong, which is pretty impressive considering the game first came out in 1998. There are tons of mods out there that either add new stuff to the game or completely mix up how it works.
8. Cyberpunk 2077 - One of the most hyped game and failed at launch but revived after multiple patches. Personally, I still believe in CD Projekt RED, who developed successful The Witcher series. However, all these games don't have the extensive modding capabilities as Mount & Blade or Elder Scrolls.
9. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord - The previous game, Mount & Blade: Warband, was one of my favorite game during high school years. Though there aren't a lot of players, the game continues to have an active community since 2008, that is 15 years of hack and slashing.
10. Portal - A simple game mechanic with a simple story that captured many gamers lover for puzzle games. After Portal 2 was out, game modders made a new game called Portal Stories: Mel, which is available for free.

How to be a successful Modder

Of course, to be a great modder, you need skills and passion for the game. Like any content creation, without the passion for that particular area, you won't be consistent with your uploads, which is the key to your success.

Here are some forum websites where you can upload your game mods to generate traffic:

• nexusmods.com
• boardgamegeek.com
• loverslab.com
• moddb.com
• steamcommunity.com/workshop

A lot of gamers don't do game modding for money. However, it is important to be compensated for your time and effort. You can join Unifans and put your link under your mods in forums for donations or you can sell your mods directly through Unifans.

Game modding can be more than just a hobby; for many, it's a viable source of income. The key to success in this field lies in understanding the legalities, choosing the right platform, and engaging with the community of the game you're modding. Whether you're a seasoned modder or just starting out, the world of game modding offers a unique blend of creativity, community, and potential financial reward.

Unifans is a membership sponsorship platform operated by an international team with an audience spanning the Chinese and English-speaking worlds. The platform welcomes creators of all kinds to join, and web novels are an important category within the content matrix.

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