8th Annual Mod of the Year Awards

[_____V_____]

Ever since studios like ID Software started making development tools freely available to the public, the modding community has become a hotbed for the sort of creativity that we rarely see in the mainstream.

One thing the two have in common is that the complexity and sophistication of mods has kept pace with the mainstream. While in the early days a mod was simply a map and custom audio pack for a game, the total conversion mods of the current times can be considered a game in itself.

Sites like ModDB are trying to bring some order to the anarchic and chaotic world of independent game development. Apart from working as an impressive repository of mods, the website also hosts annual awards to recognize some of the best works.

Here are the winners of the 8th Annual Mod of the Year Awards.

Out of Hell [Unreal Tournament 2004]

Winner, Best Original Art Direction [Editor's Choice]
Nominated, Best Single-player Mod [Editor's Choice]

Out of Hell is a single-player mod for Unreal Tournament 2004 created by a solitary developer. In a time when Zombie mods are a dime a dozen, this mod manages to stick out due to impressive level design and also some of its design choices. Gameplay is more challenging than the norm, and there is steady pace and tension throughout the single-player experience.

http://www.outofhell.net/

MechWarrior: Living Legends [Crysis]

Winner, Best Multiplayer Mod [Editor's Choice]
Winner, Mod of the Year [Player's Choice]

This one is a total-conversion multiplayer mod for the Crysis, which brings back memories of MechWarrior. Along with the Mechs, players can pilot aircrafts and control ground vehicles like tanks, while engaging in team-based faction vs. Faction battles with up to 32 players on a single server. This mod features destructible vegetation, day-night cycles and all the other goodness that comes with CryENGINE 2.

http://www.mechlivinglegends.net/

The Nameless Mod [Deus Ex]

Winner, Best Single-player Mod [Editor's Choice]
Nominated, Mod of the Year [Player's Choice]

The Nameless Mod is based on Warren Spector's classic cyber-punk action RPG, Deus Ex. The mods premise is not too far off from the original classic, based in a futuristic, fictional city called Forum City. True to its name, the social and civic system of the city is based on the structure of discussion boards found on the internet. The player's part in the story is to uncover the mystery behind the recent spate of Moderator's disappearances. Boasting 59 levels, 20 weapons, spoken conversation, cinematic and an original background score - among other things-The Nameless Mod is a game and a half in itself.

http://thenamelessmod.com/

Aaaaa! --A Reckless Disregard for Gravity

Winner, Best Indie Game [Editor's Choice]

This game is a spin-off on the sport base jumping and is set in an urban landscape. Players score points depending on things like - speed of the fall and the distance from buildings as you take the plunge. Bonus points can be scored by giving the spectators the thumbs-up or flipping on your way down. Aaaaa! has also been nominated for Excellence in Design at this year's Independent Game Festival and it is available with all popular digital distribution systems for USD 9.95.

http://www.dejobaan.com/aaaaa/

Natural Selection 2

Winner, Indie Game of the year [Player's Choice]

Natural Selection 2 has the unusual distinction of being selected as the winner of this award even before the final release of the game. A sequel to Natural Selection, which was a mod based on the Source engine, Natural Selection 2 is a stand-alone game designed on a brand new engine designed by the developers. The game is a FPS that pits groups of marines against the alien hive and the final release will come bundled with tools to create custom maps and scenarios.

http://www.naturalselection2.com/

[Doc Faustus]

Better luck next time. You'll get Mod of the Year someday.