What drives the modders forward?

I have always been intrigued by what makes the modders delve into a game and change what they think needs changing.
Such as the GWX3 mod, what made all of you dedicate so much of your free time to doing what you've done?
I personally really appreciate the longevity that a great mod can bring to a game and it's the reason why PC games have such a long shelf life.
I bought SH3 from steam for £3 on a sale and didn't enjoy it stock but with GWX 3 and other mods it really comes to life. Also with SH4's TMO and Op Monsun mods and now Sh5 and it's growing mod list.
I ask this question because I have a full time career, 2 kids under 4 and a wife and they consume so much of my free time, they leave only a few hours a night to sit at my desk and play some PC games.
I assume not all modders are single with no committments outside of modding so how do you do it?
Yours,
Much appreciated.
Barso.

[TheDarkWraith]

3 words/phrases:

- Single
- love a challenge
- just to see if I can do it

My kids are grown and in or near thier 30's.
My wife and I enjoy sitting at home after work.
Me doing Mods for SH.
Her building her Farmville thing.


Not have young pups running around allows me the time.
I do it for the things I learn and can pass on to others.
Just as others helped me start.
The challange is also nice.
Though not that hard after so many years.
And I do what I do mostly because someone has to.
If not?
Where would we all be?

[Takeda Shingen]

I was going to say booze, but all of the above works well too.

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

I was going to say booze, but all of the above works well too.

I was trying to be politically correct and not mention that aspect.

(Though it does help!)

I thought that was the reason!
So it's all about the helping others, you enjoy doing it and the hookers and booze! In fact forget about helping others and you enjoy doing it!

[DrMilton]

Originally Posted by TheDarkWraith

3 words/phrases:

- Single
- love a challenge
- just to see if I can do it

Well, if you're not single by then you 're likely to become one afterward.

[smilinicon]

they obviously enjoy it.

ohhhh I am now a two time loser in the avatar dept....

[Diopos]

"What drives the modders forward?"

A. The status of the game as released.
B. Personal "taste" and the urge to fullfil it
C. Because they (modders) can (mod).
D. Because the subsim community is receptive, aknowledges the effort and is responsive to good modding work (well, most of the time! ).



.

[SteamWake]

and here I thought it was the high pay scale and the un-ending adoration of the community

Modders? Keep up the good work !!

Great responses, really interesting to see what makes you want to do it.
Such a pity that ubisoft never give the devs the love that you all have for the games.
It would be great if you could start building and modding a game that didn't need fixed on release.
Does the having to fix the bugs first bother you much or does that just become part of the challenge?

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

and here I thought it was the high pay scale and the un-ending adoration of the community

Your dead right....don't let them fool you

I've never earned so much in my life for doing so little

[Venatore]

Originally Posted by Barso

I have always been intrigued by what makes the modders delve into a game

For me it's several things, learning new files formats, examples; dds & dat files, helping me to gain knowledge in all aspects of PC Gaming.

Another reason is trying to create something better than the original creators.

Skinning is another reason, learning new techniques in the skinning realm is never-ending.

Originally Posted by Barso

I personally really appreciate the longevity that a great mod can bring to a game and it's the reason why PC games have such a long shelf life.

This would be the fundamental reason why I mod the Silent Hunter series....it's the number one game I love and for that reason I don't want it to fade to oblivion.

Originally Posted by Barso

I ask this question because I have a full time career, 2 kids under 4 and a wife and they consume so much of my free time, they leave only a few hours a night to sit at my desk and play some PC games.

I have been married since 1993, we have two daughters aged 15/13. I'm in the Australian Army (infantry) still serving with 22 years under my belt. I too come through the door at 5pm after a hard days work .... kisses and cuddles to the three ladies in my life than I focus on modding. I'm a PC Gamer, it's all I do, it's my hobby, I have no other real interests, I'm a recluse/loner/hermit. I don't socialise much away from work...I don't leave my house apart from work

My girls are very very supportive of my hobby they don't nag/interfere as this enables them to shop .... shop ..... shop