Modding

Bethesda has released the Creation Kit, a suite of modding tools for the PC version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, along with a high-res texture pack. The Creation Kit lets players create, share and download user-generated content through the Steam Workshop. Bethesda will be releasing a series of tutorial videos, the first of which is below, to help modders of all levels. More >

Bethesda has detailed the features available in the Creation Kit, the suite of modding tools for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The company promises that this will be its most powerful tool to date, with the Steam-hosted Skyrim Workshop streamlining sharing and discoverability. More >

Bethesda has confirmed that its latest patch for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, version 1.4, is now in testing for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The patch, which Bethesda hopes to submit for console certification and release on PC next week, fixes bugs including an issue affecting framerates on PlayStation 3 after save files passed 5MB in size, as well as a host of quest-specific bugs. See below for the full list. More >

Id Software co-founder John Carmack has revealed that the release of the Doom 3 source code is fast approaching. In a Tweet, Carmack said: "Doom 3 source is packaged and tested, we are waiting on final lawyer clearance for release." More >

Blizzard Entertainment is to allow modders to charge for their creations through Blizzard Arcade, a revised version of the Blizzard Marketplace to launch alongside StarCraft II expansion Heart Of The Swarm. The publisher revealed Arcade, a hub for free and premium user-made mods and games created using the StarCraft II mod tools, during a panel at this weekend's Blizzcon event in California. More >

DICE, Swedish developer of Battlefield 3, has told PC gamers they face Origin account bans should they play the game on unofficial servers - resulting in any other EA games linked to their profile being rendered unplayable. Battlefield 3's server files were leaked last week, allowing users to create their own unofficial game servers with different properties to those in the beta. One, for example, increases the maximum player count on Operation Métro, the beta's sole multiplayer map, from 32 to over 100. More >

Valve is to incorporate one of Counter-Strike: Source's most beloved mods, Gun Game, into the upcoming Global Offensive. While the name has been changed - Gun Game will now be playable across two modes, Arsenal: Arms Race and Arsenal: Demolition - Valve has turned to the original modders for help. More >

Despite EA senior VP Patrick Soderlund saying last month that no mod tools would be released for Battlefield 3 because "it's going to be too big of a challenge for people," developer DICE's general manager Karl-Magnus Troedsson has said that the team is considering releasing mod tools further down the line. "We have heard the community very loud and clear on this topic," he told Ausgamers. "We are considering it, back in the studio. The game won't ship with mod tools, but we have heard it. I'm not saying that we're going to do it, I'm saying that we are thinking about it."

Following Blizzard's decision to make Diablo III online-only and to include a real-world currency auction house, it has revealed - hardly surprisingly - that the game will not allow thirdparty mods. "For a variety of gameplay and security reasons, we will not be supporting bots or mods in Diablo III, and they’ll be expressly prohibited by our terms of use for the game," says Blizzard's FAQ. At the top of the variety of reasons are surely the concerns that mods could disrupt online play and the game's economy.

The Source Engine sandbox mod has now sold more than a million copies since its launch on Steam in 2007. In a post on his website, creator Garry Newman writes: "I did plan to release a big secret update I've been working on when we hit a million. But it's not ready - you guys beat me to it. Thanks to everyone that's contributed to Garry's Mod, whether that be directly by dedicating your time to creating new content for other players, or indirectly by playing and enjoying all that Garry's Mod has to offer."

Patrick Soderlund, senior vice-president at Battlefield 3 publisher EA, explains to German website Gamestar why DICE will not be releasing mod tools for the game, which is released in October. "If you look at the Frostbite Engine and how complex it is, it's going to be very difficult to mod the game," he explains. "Because of the nature of the setup of levels, the destruction and all those things, it's quite tricky. We think it's going to be too big of a challenge for people to make a mod."

German modding group Black Monkeys has released Galactic Warfare, a Star Wars mod for Call of Duty 4 that has been in development for more than two years. The stages, characters and weapons from Infinity Ward's 2009 shooter have been retooled accordingly, and the free download contains seven themed maps, including Mos Eisley and Bespin.

Modder iCE La GlacE has made iCEnhancer 1.2, a soon to be released and extensive set of enhancements to GTAIV that makes Liberty City look like it's been hewn from CryEngine 2. It includes high resolution textures and car models, a suite of visual effects, new features such as a zombie survival mode, enhanced AI that allows NPCs to commit crimes and the ability to carry bodies. Navigate to aimedehaire's YouTube channel from the video below for many more glimpses of its considerable charms. Incidentally, for more pretty Liberty City glamour pics, check Dead End Thrills' GTAIV screenshots on the source link.