A new platform has been set up with the goal being to find a new way of paying modders for their creations.
The issue of paid-for mods came to the fore in April, when Valve built a marketplace around Skyrim's mod community, and then quickly backtracked. Now the team over at Sprked.com have devised an alternative, a platform that offers those who use mods the chance to support those that make them.
The key thing is that mod users won't be buying the mods from their creators, rather they'll be supporting their work via donations. Here's how they describe the initiative in their own words:
Sprked is here to bridge the gap between modding and earning an income. This is done with the amazing support of gamers who empower the modders by subscribing to the exclusive perks. The funding recurs every month, which supplements the modders' income while keeping the mods free. Ultimately, this leads to better mods, since more time can be dedicated to the creative process. Compared to other platforms, modders received 95% of the funds earned (minus payment processing fees). So support your favorite modder today!