Hello, I am assuming that you are new to the community and wish to start your own project. I know, you feel capable of almost anything and you probably think you could gather skilled modders to help with your project, right? Haha... WRONG!This guide was made to help you better understand on how to work yourself in the art of starting projects.
First off, when you join the community and have an idea for a project, it is wise NOT to post about your project right away.
Basics of Modding!
You will first need to acquire skill in the art of:
-Mapping
-ACS
-Decorate
-Sprite artwork
-MIDI creationand/or
-Texture creation
You might want to check out the Zdoom wiki for information and tutorials on all of these subjects.
(Note that mapping is the main portion of modifying in the community)
There are two ways you could learn mapping. One would be to view tutorials on different Doom community forums. Not satisfied? Well then, the next best course of action would be to view other peoples work and learn from that. The most recommended maps that you should analyze would be Skulltag's main map set. Then, after you feel that you are ready to start mapping, download a map maker for Doom. The most recommended one of them all would be "Doom Builder" (Note that the second installment of the Doom Builder series will be released in the near future/is already out). As well as downloading a WAD viewer such as XWE or SLumpED.
After you have gotten used to the feeling of your map editor/decoration coding, go ahead and make a map/weapon/monster mod. The most recommended map to make, in my opinion, would be a simple Duel map due to it's build time. After you have made your map, go ahead and post it in the "Projects" section. Now then, we shall approach the part of the procedure that most of you "newbies" normally fail at and end up making a bad name for yourself. This guide is also here to prevent this.
Criticism!
This is what is known as "helpful criticism". Note that there is no correct way to criticize something and not make it seem insulting. It also doesn't help to retaliate towards the people criticizing your work. They are only trying to help you improve on your Mapping/Weapon making/ect. skills. No matter how insulting it may seem, you must always remember that it is nothing personal (even though there are some in the community that will make it seem personal sometimes). Just remember, take the advice of the people that criticize your work, it will make it faster and easier for you to make your modding skills better. Besides, most of them know what they're talking about.
Commitment!
Now that we have the problem of criticism mastered, it seems that you are ready to start your project, correct? Wrong again!
There is the matter of leading a project. First of all, if you start a project, you must be committed to it. No stopping half (or in my case, a quarter) of the way there. Especially if you successfully collected talented modders. Don't make their efforts vain. So, the best thing to do is to stay 100% focused on that project. It doesn't help any by starting other projects. That only cuts down on the productivity. Remember, you're the project leader so you must make sure that you keep full attention on what your helpers are doing as well as what you are doing.
Mod Value!
You don't want to produce something that won't catch the communities eye do you? Yet you still wish to have fun making the project. The simplest thing to do is to take the advice of everyone and make sure you keep it at a respectable limit. You don't want to be spending three years on your project do you? Knowing what the players like is the best solution of any. Also, remember to start off small. No need to go off the handles and start a big-wig megawad project. Especially if you are new to the modding scene. Inexperience does not mix well with complication. Start off with something simple. Like I stated before, if you are going to be a mapper, then you might just want to start off by making a few duel maps along with a few, small single-player maps. You might also want to take into consideration on what kind of mod you are working on. Remember, this community has been bombarded with several weapon mods as well as other mods that get extremely repetitive. So remember, if you really want to catch the community's eye, create something unique and original (If possible). I would now like to address the usage of MP3 files. Normally, due to their size, it is not recommended that you use MP3 format music files. Along with the fact of copyright infringement (Considering what kind of song you are using). Now, you could always reduce the file size by converting the MP3 to OGG format. The best kind of format to use for your project, music wise, would be MIDI format, due to it's size. Large size files are normally looked down upon in this community (Unless it's some big-wig and fancy-uber-awesome project).
Legality issues!
If there is one thing that irritates the community, it's people that break the rule of the EULA. If you wish to make a remake, please don't go ripping the map from the Iwad and editing. You could at least do it from scratch. It is also wise not to make the remake really close to the original build of the map. It will be taken as an infringement on Doom's EULA and shunned by the community (Plus, we've played over the maps enough times so what's the point of playing them over again just with a few added sectors). Same thing goes for sprites and coding. Don't just rip them, edit them and call them your own work. Especially if you didn't ask permission from the author in the first place and give no credit. Give credit to the original author, regardless if it be from a commercial game or whatever. Also, I would like to add that even though the shareware versions of the games might be free, that doesn't mean anything. These legal issues still apply.
Before we go on, I would like to discuss about music. Like I stated before, it is best to use MIDI files due to the fact of legality issues with copyright infringement and file size. Especially if you are using a music track from a band like Disturbed or Metallica or any other music from commercial or indie bands (Though, I'm not entirely sure, you might want to look it up on your own, but I'm pretty sure that if you buy a licensed song, you can use it in your project). That is if the MP3 is protected by the copyright law. That being said, it is also possible for a MIDI track to be illegally used. Basically, if it's not protected by the copyright law, you should be able to use it. Not saying that you shouldn't if it was, it's just better if you didn't in some cases.
Project descriptions!
When you finally post about your project, you would be wise to set up simple descriptions about it. What it's about, the theme of the project, what the project will contain, and just about anything that you think would be useful in a description. Don't forget to post screen shots and any other things for the community members to look at so they know exactly what you are working on. It would also be a good idea to work on a presentation of your wad. Most newbies don't realize it, but when it comes to presenting something, it's not really all that good. The main thing would be to make sure you at least put effort into your spelling and grammar first. Most of the community has seen a lot of new members try and start up their projects and a lot of them didn't put enough effort into their sentences. Next would be how you explain curtain parts of your project. Remember, if there are things that the members do not understand, answer them with a clear minded response, and possibly add that response into your description of your project. Like I said before, if there is anything else you find would be necessary to add into your projects description, feel free to do so.
Quick EX:
"Hello. After some time of thinking, I have decided to create my new mod.
It's called [Project name here]. The main idea of this project is [Theme of project along with a short description of what it's about.] and I hope it will be as good as I think it will be once I complete it.
If anyone would like to contribute, please feel free to do so. Just PM me or post a comment saying that you would like to partake in the project.
Now, here are some screenshots to show exactly what I am working on [Post screenshots here using the "Img" tag. My most recommended photo hosting site would be Photobucket].
All criticism is welcome. I would like any advice so that I may better this project before the initial release. Thank you all for your time."Now that was simply an example on what your presentation should look like. You don't always have to post it in such a dull way, but it is also wise to stick to the point of the matter. Note that directly asking for help from the community when you have no status is grounds for being mocked and/or bashed.
Requesting assistance!
If you are planning a big, or at least sizable project and need assistance, just asking won't normally get you very far, considering you are new to the community. People will just see you a the new guy with no particular talent. That is why you must spend some time making a name for yourself so that people will recognize you throughout the community. The best thing to do would be to practice your modding and releasing your work so the people can see how well you are progressing in your work and see you as a respectable modder. That is the only way to get recognition in the modding community.
NOTHING projects!
It is very wise that when you finally post your work in the "Projects" forum that you at least post something to show so everyone knows that you are actually making a mod and not just wasting their time. Posting a thread with only a description normally doesn't cut it around here. You either have something to show, or it doesn't exist. The best thing to post would be a few screen shots of your project. Mainly of maps.
Credit!
Remember, taking credit for something that you didn't do is frowned upon in ANY community. Please remember to credit those for their work of they assist you in ANY way with your project.
I hope that this guide will help you getting started on your modding career. I hope you have fun modding and make some pretty fun mods for the whole community to enjoy. Now, with the knowledge that you have collected, you are now able and ready to start on your quest to become a modder. So, get out there and MAKE SOME MODS!
-Nightmare93
If we feel that you are breaking some of these rules your posts will be deleted.If you continue you will be banned.
