Mod DB


Mod DB is a website that focuses on general video game modding. It was founded in 2002 by Scott "INtense!" Reismanis. As of September 2015, the Mod DB site has received over 604 million views, has more than 12,500 modifications registered, and has hosted more than 108 million downloads. A spin-off website, Indie DB, was launched in 2010 and focuses on indie games and news.

Purpose

The purpose of Mod DB is to list the mods, files, tutorials and information of any games that are capable of being modded with user-made content. Community involvement is strongly encouraged, and any game mod with a website is allowed to post a screenshot gallery, news, and requests for help. Scott's intentions, from the beginning, were to get the community heavily involved in the creation and development of the website. To this end, the most active members were chosen as moderators and administrators. The core staff generally remain the same, while lower positions are heavily rotated among trainee moderators, and administrator candidates. The site's staff mostly act as chaperones or librarians, keeping appropriate content available to the public and featuring the more exceptional content.

History

Scott Reismanis stated in an interview, "My first site was Gamerzoned, which became Gaminzone, then Chaosrealm and Modrealm". ModRealm was refactored and improved upon to include more developer tools. After months of additional development, it was rebranded as ModDB. Reismanis coded the site engine himself, which would cover all of the mod-related subjects. ModDB 1.0 debuted in June 2002. It quickly gained a group of core members who became the basis for the active community which the site has today. In 2004, the second version of the site was released, and many new features were implemented along with a complete site redesign. Version three followed in December 2005, once again redesigning the site's organisation and aesthetics.
On 6 October 2006, another website by the Mod DB team opened up a public beta for registered members of Mod DB. Addon DB's aim is to list additional content for game not applicable under the category of game modifications. This includes models, skins and maps. Following the creation of Addon DB, Scott Reismanis founded DBolical Pty Ltd., which subsequently acquired ownership of both Addon DB and Mod DB.
In September 2007 Mod DB changed and was overhauled to bring it up to version 4. This included integrating Addon DB into Mod DB. There were major enhancements like the ability to register a game rather than a mod as well as a better private messaging system.
In 2010 DBolical Pty Ltd. launched the "IndieDB" website dedicated to indie gaming.
In 2011 Mod DB removed School Shooter: North American Tour 2012 after "receiving quite a bit of threatening mail as people believe we are the creators, supporters and makers of this content."

Mod of the Year

Mod DB's competition, the 'Golden Spanner' awards, aim to set the industry standard in awarding inventive and high-quality mods. Mods are chosen via a community vote and are then reviewed by staff to produce the final list of winners. The competition aims to encourage all fields of modding, with different categories such as graphics and gameplay, as well as a traditional 'best mod' winner.

2019

Editors' choice
Players' choice – Best Upcoming Mod
  1. Starlight
  2. Bloom
  3. Star Wars – Galaxy at War
  4. Apotheosis
  5. Ages of the Federation

    2018

2017

;Editors' choice
;Players' choice – Mod of the Year
  1. Brutal Doom
  2. Star Wars: Thrawn's Revenge II: Ascendancy
  3. Twisted Insurrection
  4. Third Age: Reforged
  5. The Empire at War Remake
  6. Age of the Ring
  7. Morrowind Rebirth
  8. Dawn of the Tiberium Age
  9. Age of Empires III: Wars of Liberty
  10. SWAT: Elite Force
;Players' choice – Best Upcoming Mod
  1. Skyblivion
  2. Fallout 4: New Vegas
  3. Fall of the Republic: Thrawn's Revenge III
  4. Awakening of the Rebellion
  5. Tiberian Sun Rising
  6. Star Wars Frontlines: The Galactic Civil War

    2016

;Editors' choice
;Players' choice – Mod of the Year
  1. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Chernobyl
  2. Enderal
  3. Hearts of Iron IV: The Great War
  4. Thrawn's Revenge: Imperial Civil War
  5. Brutal Doom 64
  6. Medieval Kingdoms Total War
  7. Divide and Conquer
  8. Call of Warhammer: Beginning of The End Times
  9. RHS: Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
  10. Expanding Fronts
;Players' choice – Best Upcoming Mod
  1. Yuuzhan Vong at War
  2. Star Trek Infinities
  3. Galaxy at War: The Clone Wars
  4. Evolutions: Real Time Strategy Evolved
  5. Counter-Strike: Classic Offensive

    2015

;Editors' choice
;Players' choice – Mod of the Year
  1. Edain
  2. Rise of the Reds
  3. Mental Omega APYR
  4. Ultimate Apocalypse
  5. A Clash of Kings
  6. Warsword Conquest
  7. Thrawn's Revenge: Imperial Civil War
  8. Fallout: Project Brazil
  9. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Chernobyl
  10. Portal Stories : Mel
;Players' choice – Best Upcoming Mod
  1. Total War: Rise of Mordor
  2. Star Wars: Interregnum
  3. Ray of Hope
  4. Gunslinger
  5. Dawn of the Reapers

    2014

;Editors' choice
;Player's choice
;Editors' choice
;Player's choice
;Editors' choice
;Player's choice
;Editors' choice
;Players' choice
;Editors' choice
No specific categories were chosen. The Mod DB editors picked the 10 best mods, unranked.
;Player's choice
;Editors' choice
;Player's Choice

Award: Indie Game of the Year

; 2019
; 2018
; 2017
; 2016
; 2015
; 2014
; 2013
; 2012
; 2011
; 2010
; 2009
; 2008