[QUESTION] Overhaul, Framework, Mod or Patch?

[Revuu]

So, here's something I'm not sure about. What's the difference between the following mod 'types'?

 

 

Overhaul

I assume this is something that completely changes how something works within the game, replacing/rewriting the code.

 

Framework

Something that produces a basis or scaffolding to make further mods off. Typically something that adds in more variables and events to the game for other modders to build off? SexTech is a framework.

 

Mod

Building upon something already existing in the game (or frameworks), slight changes, additions, but not a fundamental re-write of existing game elements. E.G. textures, sounds, weapons, models, animations.

 

Patch

Fixing something broken / hidden within the game. Fixing bugs would count. Unlocking hidden items / weapon modifications would count. Adding hidden chat options, quests and events back into the game would count. I guess adding workarounds (E.G. Paarthurnax Dilemma) also comes under this category?

 

I'm asking because I want to make mods, but I just realised I don't actually know what counts as what category, and do not want to mislabel my mod ideas.

[Guest MonsterFish]

Well you ask and basically answered yourself.

[Revuu]

Well you ask and basically answered yourself.

 

Unless I'm wrong and there's more to it in that, in which case I'll be mislabelling stuff out of lack of knowledge. It's like when you use a word for YEARS, until someone that actually knows what it means points out that it doesn't mean what you thought it meant at all. I didn't know what "ubiquitous" meant until a couple of weeks ago. Turns out it does not mean, "similar to".

 

Also, this thread might be useful for anyone else also struggling with the same problem - how to categorise their mods.

 

For example, I'm sure people are far more wary of overhauls than they are of frameworks. Is the difference to do with the mechanics / scripting of a mod, or to do with how much they change the world?

[Guest]

Framework is a support mod that alone does nothing.

It is used by other mods to offer some real features for the final user.

 

Examples:

* SKSE and F4SE (alone they do pretty much nothing, they offer extended scripts to the other mods)

* SexLab, ZAP, Arousal Redux, and SexTec (alone they do nothing, other mods are actually using (will use) their APIs to do some stuff without requiring to re-implement it all the time)

 

 

Mods are the actual packages that provide some content to the user.

It can be just a new weapon, or it can be more complex having cells and NPCs, or also it may have some code inside to implement something completely new inside the game.

 

Examples:

* SexLab MatchMaker, all bodies variations, all mods adding armors, all mods adding followers, etc.

 

 

Overhauls. An overhaul is still a mod, usually a big one. The main difference is that with an overhaul you are not "extending" the game, but usually you are changing something inside the game that is not a small part. (Not just changing the amount of health provided by a potion.)

Now, according to the majority of mods. A mod should just "add something", while an overhaul should "change something".

 

Patches are not real mods. They are used to fix some problems of the game or of another mod.

They FIX stuff, they do not ADD stuff.

 

 

But then there is another category. The framework extensions.

Consider NSAP. It is not a "framework", and not a "Mod". It adds something to a framework. Alone it has no reason to exists, it needs the framework. And without another real mod using the framework, it is useless.

Another example is "SexLab CumShot". Alone it does nothing. It adds an extra feature to the SexLab framework, that then will be used by other mods.

Usually I call these types of mods "PlugIns" but there is no consensus on this name or category.

 

[Kinky]

Mods modify things so all of them are mods. Only difference is their complexity and purpose.

[Guest]

Mods modify things so all of them are mods. Only difference is their complexity and purpose.

 

Technically everything is a "Mod".

And the differentiation is actually done on the purpose.

 

If you call "FNIS" a mod or "SKSE" a mod, or "BodySlide" a mod, then you will just confuse the users.

And if you call "SexLab" a mod you will get a huge amount of help support request by people asking: "I installed SexLab and all prerequisites, why i don't see any sex happening???"

 

The distinction between Frameworks, Mods, and Patches is important to let user understand what they need.

The difference between Mods and Overhauls is subtle, really subtle. And can be avoided.