REALLY confused about gametype/mod distinction now.

[Angel_Mapper]

The 'Best Gametype' finalist list was just sent out a bit ago, and it includes entries that I would think fit more appropriately in a 'Best Mod' category. Is this only because phase 1 has no mod category? What is the distinction between a gametype and a mod for the rest of the phases?

[spacedemonebu]

if i had to guess, it would be that mods must come with their own levels whereas a new gametype could be made to be compatible with existing levels.

[ambershee]

I personally would have described a game type as using a majority of UT specific objects; pawns, controllers and weapons. A pawn or controller sub-class or extra weapons might exist to facilitate the game play, but these are essentially minor additions to what is a fresh game class.

Anything that doesn't use core UT game mechanics as a basis, over a fresh set of objectives, with or without a new set of level designs, to me would not be a new game mode - it would be moving towards a mod, or a TC.

Obviously the same distinction hasn't been applied here - but it is obvious that the entries that are of the highest quality have gone through, appropriate to the category or otherwise.

[Blade[UG]]

so, what gametypes made it? since it doesn't look like it's been posted here.

[Mr Evil]

The two categories are orthogonal to my mind. A gametype has new rules for playing. Whether or not it has custom content is irrelevant. A mod on the other hand, has custom content by definition, but may or may not have new gametypes, e.g. a mod is still a mod even if it consists of only DM, as long as it has new content like characters, weapons, maps or whatever.

[schenksmill]

For me personally, Unreal Demolition for Phase 1 was essentially a set of 2 (+1 team version) gametypes, so in theory I could have done multiple submissions. That being said, I only did one because in practice, UD is really only a small change to the core game rules, plus a few modifications to the vehicle code. In the future, I'll be entering it as a mod, because they are essentially the same thing to me. A collection of gametypes pretty much ends as a mod.

[vincejebsen]

i miss playing unreal :(

[Xyx]

Isn't every single submission (mutator, character, gametype), with the possible exception of external tools, a modification of the game, and therefore a "mod"?

[Mr Evil]

Isn't every single submission (mutator, character, gametype), with the possible exception of external tools, a modification of the game, and therefore a "mod"?
Yes, but "mod" is also often used specifically to mean "total conversion", as distinct from mods in general.

p.s. well done vincejebsen on resurrecting an old thread with a completely irrelevant comment.