Modding or Mapping?

[m4rine]

I have always thought of mapping and modding as two different things. But I have countless times heard a map being called a mod. As far as I understand, a mod is short for modification. And the definition of modification is ?changing something that already exists?. A map adds to the game; it doesn?t change an object of the game. I?ve always considered a mod to be a player skin or weapon skin or a compass ? am I right in thinking this?

But what about games where it is possible to add a whole new weapon class? This doesn?t change anything ? it just adds something new. Or is this just accepted as a ?mod? because when the term was first used it was only possible to change ? not add to?

Please can someone clear this up for me!

[General Death]

A map adds to the game; it doesn?t change an object of the game.

With an exception though. What if the new map has a new gameplay mode. Then its much more than simply a new map.

I think the term "mod" or "modded" is used very loosely. Some view that it has to be something completely different and new. Some view it as doing anything to a game that changes it from retail/stock.

I would probability just have to say that my opinion would be the later...if you did anything to change it from stock. It that case mapping would be a part of modding a game.

It will be interesting to see others viewpoints....good question

[Random]

My thought is this:

Mod short for modification, a modification as defined by http://dictionary.reference.com/

Modification

mod?i?fi?ca?tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (md-f-kshn)
n.
The act of modifying or the condition of being modified.
A result of modifying.
A small alteration, adjustment, or limitation.
Biology. Any of the changes in an organism caused by environment or activity and not genetically transmissable to offspring.
Linguistics.
A change undergone by a word that is borrowed from another language.
A phonological change undergone by a word or morpheme when it is used in a construction, as the change of will to 'll in they'll.

The 3rd line to me is the key here "a small alteration, adjustment or limitation." So to me something as simple as "Realism" could be considered a mod and that is just a few adjusted numbers.[/b]

[mohaa_rox]

skinning and modelling rulez man! OWNZ YOU!!!

[m4rine]

i never questioned whether they were good or not

[mohaa_rox]

i never questioned whether they were good or not

oops, kinda off-topic....

but isn't mapping under modding??? i mean, "modding" is making changes to something, but keeping the original "recognisable". so i think "modding" games is like making changes to the games, like skins, maps, new weapons etc.

[m4rine]

mmm.... good point but i still disagree. Take this for example:

Take MOH:AA. Then comes MOH:Spearhead. Is Spearhead changing the game, or adding to it? Yes the basic game is still there - but it doesn't change anything.

Now take a Weapon pack for MOH:AA. Something like CoolMods. It changes the existing weapons into something new.

It's the same principle with maps. A map is an expansion of a game (litterally speaking) whereas a mod is a modification of a game.

[Bjarne BZR]

Is it really important to define the words?

[m4rine]

what you mean me putting them in bold? well i guess i just do that - i dunno why it's just one of those things i was taught in english (make important words stand out when writing an article; or something like that, and i see a forum post as a sort of article).