Mod API for OpenRA
We are launching an open mod API early next year
Mod API for OpenRA
Hi everyone, I'm new here but long time supporter of mods and creator of moddb.com. I'm posting to discuss something which I believe could be a great addition to the OpenRA project.
For the past year we have been working on a mod API called mod.io. Our goal is to create an open modding platform, that provides an easy-to-use interface to browse and install mods on the web and in-game. It would be amazing to see mods play a much larger role in OpenRA by making them super accessible, which is the objective of mod.io.
You can take a look at a demonstration i've setup (with entirely faked data so please excuse it) to get an idea of how it all works. Please ask me anything and if a developer from the community is interested in integrating mod.io - we'd be happy to assist and help take modding to the next level.
For the past year we have been working on a mod API called mod.io. Our goal is to create an open modding platform, that provides an easy-to-use interface to browse and install mods on the web and in-game. It would be amazing to see mods play a much larger role in OpenRA by making them super accessible, which is the objective of mod.io.
You can take a look at a demonstration i've setup (with entirely faked data so please excuse it) to get an idea of how it all works. Please ask me anything and if a developer from the community is interested in integrating mod.io - we'd be happy to assist and help take modding to the next level.
Awesome! Looking great. That will definitely help our ongoing effort of improved Mod Support.
Mod support
Oh brilliant, I missed your tasks regarding mod support. Would it be a bit cheeky of me to include mod.io on your issues board, as something to include in your roadmap?
The https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRAModSDK is more of Paul's personal quest, so I would like him to decide on that.
Is that a SDK to create mods or share mods?
Correct me if I am wrong, but that SDK is for mod developers to use to create mods for OpenRA right? mod.io does not help with creating mods, our SDK / API is a platform for sharing and installing mods in-game. So a developer would build it into their game, to make an official central store of mods that players can install and play at the click of a button.
For those who don't follow the IRC channel, here is a summary of our plan forward.
We won't be able to integrate the one-click install support, but this still offers a great solution for integrating custom mods into the server listings and website.
We won't be able to integrate the one-click install support, but this still offers a great solution for integrating custom mods into the server listings and website.
- (phase 1) Projects that use the mod SDK will be able to register with the mod.io API (process to be determined) and generate an ID that they add to their mod.config plus private authentication details.
- (phase 1) The ingame and web server browsers will query mod.io for unknown mod details and provide a link to the mod's website instead of just reporting "Unknown Mod".
- (phase 2) When the project pushes a new release to GitHub the Travis CI automation will update the mod.io profile with the new release details and installer files. We may also provide a make command to manually do this.
- (phase 3) The main OpenRA website adds a Mods page that lists all approved mods and provides download buttons for the Windows/macOS/Linux(AppImage) installers.
Sounds great
At some point in the future we should discuss adding support for auto-mod installs and what is needed to get there. But this sounds like a great first step, looking forward to helping with and promoting the implementation.
Talk to the team
Also, if you want to talk to the team live about the API, SDK get questions answered quick we just launched our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/DVqv2zS
Test env up
Hey all, good news from us. Our test environment is up: https://test.mod.io - a great place to try out the API, get everything up and running before switching to production and launching mod.io support with us.
Have you been able to make any progress with your mod integration?
Have you been able to make any progress with your mod integration?
Hey jballou thanks for reaching out. We've got a test environment running now, which you are welcome to access and starting playing with.
https://test.mod.io/?user=openra&key=cd ... c535ef9e30
It should contain absolutely everything you need to get started, and is what a number of other game development teams are using to get setup.
https://test.mod.io/?user=openra&key=cd ... c535ef9e30
It should contain absolutely everything you need to get started, and is what a number of other game development teams are using to get setup.