Finally, character modding is here (coming with this weekend's version)

This weekend's release should bring support for character mods. For now this is Windows only (in theory the Android version also supports it, but it needs some sort of mechanism to allow loading mod files from a different drive location, since the game folder is not end user accessible - something which I need to look into; it will probably be something for the future, if/when we see modding catching on). Right now the tech implementation is complete and ready to release. I still need to create a detailed how-to guide for any prospective mod creators.

IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A MOD CREATOR:

• You need some decent experience working with Blender (especially around armatures and 3d modelling, and also materials management), and know what a .json file is and how the structure goes

• I'm happy to assist you with documentation and clarifications concerning the steps needed to integrate your model in the game - but I won't be able to teach you e.g. how to use Blender or understand/edit .json files

• The expectation is that you will share your character mod(s) freely with the community, to download and add to their game

• If you aren't currently a Patron and you need the latest game version I'm happy to fast forward you once your creation is ready to test. For the future, I'm also happy to keep dedicated mod creators on the latest game version as a thank you for their work, and for contributing to the community and the game

• Very important: any content you create / bring into the game needs to be legal. E.g. I won't be allowing any sort of underage or underage-looking content

So how do I create a mod?

Well, these are the rough steps, so you get a generic picture:

• I will be supplying you with the necessary file(s) to use as reference (e.g. .blend files containing the skeleton and all current body parts, .json template file, etc.)

• Pick a character you want to import (either your own work if you're comfortable sharing it, or something you find online e.g. on Sketchfab, case in which please make sure to respect their authors' work and check for an appropriate license). Character should be humanoid (two arms, two legs, should fit regular human movement - e.g. knees and elbows should bend the usual way, body parts should be in the usual spots, etc.)

• Import the model in Blender

• Clean it up, scale, position and change it to be as close to overlapping the default body as possible. Remove its original skeleton, vertex groups, weight painting, etc.

• Retarget the body to the provided game skeleton. Copy the weights from the default game body, clean / adjust them as necessary

• Extract the textures for the body and eyes (these will need to be exposed to the in game character editor), optionally other textures as well. Remove the eyes and body texture associations from the model

• Split up the body into the following components / meshes: head, upper body, hands, lower body, feet, eyes, teeth, tongue and optionally: hair, mouth (the mouth mesh can be included with the teeth, but can also be separate to help with weight painting), tail, wings, other clothing

• Optional step: create morphs (shapes) for breathing, expressions and user adjustable morphs

• Export your character as .gltf

• Duplicate and edit the template .json file to define various properties needed for each body part (sources, textures, etc.) - these are needed by the game

• End up with the mod package consisting of the .json file and a folder containing the .gltf, .bin and texture files. These need to be placed under .mods/characters/ and are read automatically by the game (except .jsons starting with _ )

What does it all mean for me as a player?

• Well, right now, not much, until someone creates the first mod

• The community is quite small, so I'm not holding my breath re: the number of prospective mod creators. But I'm also hopeful

• If / once mod creators start sharing their work, you will be able to download the mods and place them in the game folder, inside the .mods/characters/ folder. Each mod will act as a character class / body type (that's where it would show up), and can include multiple customizations (e.g. wearables, hairs, materials, colors) that are available and changeable through the editor. You can create and save multiple different characters from each mod

NOTES: Right now there are no checks and guardrails to prevent issues caused by incorrect data in mods. The game will crash in most such situations. Also, removing a mod and trying to load a character based on that mod will result in a crash.

I will try to keep mods compatible across various game versions, but it's not a guarantee. Some mods might need updating to keep being compatible with future game versions. But this is a bridge we'll cross when we get there.