Steam restricts downloading mods for games you don’t own
Steam restricts downloading mods for games you don’t own
Summary Valve restricts your ability to obtain mods from Steam Workshop when you don’t own the game. I don’t have any references from news outlets, but you can attempt it yourself via SteamCMD https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki...g_SteamCMD. It’s simply not feasible anymore. My feelings were strong. Essentially, if you own the game elsewhere, you’re not permitted to download the free mod created by someone else.
Attempting to add mods via Steam Workshop didn’t function properly when you didn’t own the game on Steam. The main idea behind SW was that it would automatically install mods onto your existing Steam games, ensuring a smooth experience. Before this update, mods were mostly available only through NexusMods for games like Skyrim. There are still many mods exclusive to SW that can’t be obtained or installed from other platforms.
If this really ends up being a big deal to many, and I can't imagine why it would be, surely the mod makers will just make the mods available elsewhere.. Are we using the same program? Steam sucks? Since when? I've been using it since around the Half Life 2 era... I can't even get through your first paragraph without wondering if we're in a completely different universe, I have no idea what you're talking about with any of those points.
We're discussing Steam, that's all. Thanks for sharing your thoughts—I hope it helps those who are curious but unsure. It's not really the main point here.
Yep, that is the whole point. I used to play ARMA III which used SW heavily, you could just plug a list into the launcher and it would automatically grab all the needed mods, install, and configure them. Most groups had their own modlist for how they liked to play so it made it super convenient vs having to manually install everything and make sure you didn't miss any. It wouldn't really serve any fuckin purpose at all if you don't have the game on steam, why would you be using Steam Workshop to begin with then? I've always just used Moddb/Nexus Mods for stuff that was off-steam or for Bethesda titles as all the good mods are on the Nexus (though some left due to some cringe stuff on NM's end so you have to go to a couple more 3rd party sites now). Like everyone else said, are we using the same platform? Steam is pretty darn solid, there's a launcher or two that are slightly nicer but they have a smaller library (uPlay is simpler and cleaner but Ubisoft only, GOG Galaxy 2.0 is nice but relies on tie-ins to the other launchers anyways).
The issue is that I'm having trouble locating mods for City Skylines. I'm trying to get them from Steam Workshop, but they don't seem to be available there or on NexusMods. The only options are either reaching out directly to the creators or purchasing the game elsewhere. It feels unfair if you're using mod developers' work without compensation, especially since you're benefiting from their efforts for free. Ideally, it would be better if they made the content accessible through official channels.
Steam workshop relies on a unique code created by the developers to function within Steam. It might be the reason non-Steam versions lack this code or that the code doesn’t work with certain games outside the library. This appears to be an anti-competitive measure I’ve encountered recently.
It's incorrect. I located a site offering mods for my specific game (searchable via Steam Workshop ID). The mods function perfectly even without Steam installed. Therefore, the issue isn't valve's performance—it's simply that the game isn't competitive with others.