Modding platform monetization questionnaire 2023
Are you a mod creator?
Total responses: 1150
No
765 resp.
67%
Yes
385 resp.
33%
Which platforms do you use as a mod creator?
Total responses: 385
Thunderstore
266 resp.
69%
Steam Workshop
178 resp.
46%
Nexusmods
122 resp.
32%
mod.io
55 resp.
14%
CurseForge
53 resp.
14%
Other
52 resp.
14%
Why do you use the platform of choice as a mod creator?
Categorization was done by AI and might contain inaccuracies
Total responses: 297
Responses focused on the platform being widely used or natively supported for a specific game.
118 resp.
40%
Responses mentioning the popularity of the platform as a reason for selecting it.
92 resp.
31%
Responses highlighting ease of use as a reason for selecting a platform.
87 resp.
29%
Responses related to mod distribution methods, such as centralized locations or integration with particular programs.
86 resp.
29%
Responses mentioning ease of access, user experience, or convenience as factors for selecting certain platforms.
47 resp.
16%
Responses that don't answer the question appropriately, e.g. spam or hard to interpret responses.
32 resp.
11%
Responses mentioning features related to user engagement, interaction, or overall community quality.
23 resp.
8%
Which platforms do you use as an end-user?
Total responses: 1150
Thunderstore
1074 resp.
93%
Steam Workshop
906 resp.
79%
Nexusmods
777 resp.
68%
CurseForge
525 resp.
46%
mod.io
332 resp.
29%
Other
127 resp.
11%
Why do you use the platform of choice as an end user?
Categorization was done by AI and might contain inaccuracies
Total responses: 851
Platforms are simple to use, have easy installation or update processes, and provide good user experience.
413 resp.
49%
Choose platforms based on popularity, which can indicate the number and variety of mods available.
270 resp.
32%
Enjoy customizing games to cater to personal interests and preferences.
202 resp.
24%
Platforms that cater to specific games or are known for having mods for certain games.
158 resp.
19%
Responses that don't answer the question appropriately, e.g. spam or hard to interpret responses.
78 resp.
9%
Trusted platforms with a low rate of file tampering, quality mods, and up-to-date content.
76 resp.
9%
Sometimes required to use certain platforms based on where mod developers choose to upload mods.
45 resp.
5%
Active communities with a focus on safety, user engagement, and willingness to enforce rules.
38 resp.
4%
Appreciate platforms that take a stance on certain issues, such as prohibiting hate speech.
6 resp.
1%
Have you supported mod creators directly?
Total responses: 1150
No
461 resp.
40%
No, but I would like to
374 resp.
33%
Yes, one-off payments
248 resp.
22%
Yes, recurring payments
67 resp.
6%
One-off payments: How much have you donated per month on average?
Total responses: 248
0-5 USD
109 resp.
44%
5-10 USD
55 resp.
22%
Prefer not to say
49 resp.
20%
10-25 USD
21 resp.
8%
50+ USD
8 resp.
3%
25-50 USD
6 resp.
2%
Recurring payments: How much have you donated per month on average?
Total responses: 67
0-5 USD
33 resp.
49%
5-10 USD
23 resp.
34%
10-25 USD
4 resp.
6%
Prefer not to say
3 resp.
4%
25-50 USD
2 resp.
3%
50+ USD
2 resp.
3%
How much would you be willing to donate per month?
Total responses: 374
0-5 USD
153 resp.
41%
Prefer not to say
123 resp.
33%
5-10 USD
77 resp.
21%
10-25 USD
17 resp.
5%
25-50 USD
2 resp.
1%
50+ USD
2 resp.
1%
Why did you choose "No" for supporting mod creators?
Total responses: 461
Financially not possible
258 resp.
56%
I don't want to
94 resp.
20%
Not enough incentives
58 resp.
13%
Other
37 resp.
8%
Process is too complex
14 resp.
3%
Responses for choosing "Other" for not supporting mod creators:
Categorization was done by AI and might contain inaccuracies
Total responses: 34
Responses that don't answer the question appropriately, e.g. spam or hard to interpret responses
13 resp.
38%
Responses related to individuals' personal beliefs on monetizing mod content
10 resp.
29%
Responses stating that there is no valid reason to donate to mod creators
6 resp.
18%
Responses highlighting potential negative effects on the modding community due to monetization
5 resp.
15%
Responses pointing out limitations in available payment methods and platforms
2 resp.
6%
If it was possible, would you like to create mods as a profession?
Total responses: 382
No, I only create mods as a hobby
193 resp.
51%
Yes, that would be awesome
172 resp.
45%
Other
28 resp.
7%
No
21 resp.
5%
Responses for choosing "Other" in creating mods as a profession:
Categorization was done by AI and might contain inaccuracies
Total responses: 28
Responses indicating uncertainty or conditionally open to the idea of creating mods as a profession.
12 resp.
43%
Responses that don't answer the question appropriately, e.g. spam or hard to interpret responses.
9 resp.
32%
Negative responses indicating no desire to create mods as a profession.
4 resp.
14%
Positive responses indicating a desire to create mods as a profession.
3 resp.
11%
Responses that suggest a preference for a donation or support-based revenue model.
1 resp.
4%
Responses indicating a preference for distributing mods freely to the public.
1 resp.
4%
Which of the following monetization models do you consider acceptable?
Total responses: 1150
Donations
955 resp.
83%
Displaying ads to free users and offering an ad-free subscription
666 resp.
58%
Subscription with cosmetic features (e.g. profile customization)
593 resp.
52%
Displaying ads to everyone
537 resp.
47%
Susbcription with additional functionality in contrast to free users
226 resp.
20%
Paid content
157 resp.
14%
Subscription with exclusive content in contrast to free users
117 resp.
10%
I'd be fine with getting venture capital investors involved
114 resp.
10%
How would you prefer a premium subscription to look like?
Total responses: 1150
Supporting mod creators
1
386 resp.
34%
2
260 resp.
23%
3
129 resp.
11%
4
106 resp.
9%
5
89 resp.
8%
6
54 resp.
5%
7
60 resp.
5%
8
41 resp.
4%
9
25 resp.
2%
Supporting the platform
1
139 resp.
12%
2
274 resp.
24%
3
226 resp.
20%
4
140 resp.
12%
5
112 resp.
10%
6
101 resp.
9%
7
65 resp.
6%
8
59 resp.
5%
9
34 resp.
3%
No ads
1
331 resp.
29%
2
163 resp.
14%
3
201 resp.
17%
4
121 resp.
11%
5
99 resp.
9%
6
71 resp.
6%
7
64 resp.
6%
8
43 resp.
4%
9
57 resp.
5%
Unlimited download speed (free users throttled)
1
75 resp.
7%
2
90 resp.
8%
3
84 resp.
7%
4
109 resp.
9%
5
105 resp.
9%
6
138 resp.
12%
7
168 resp.
15%
8
179 resp.
16%
9
202 resp.
18%
Exclusive customization options (e.g. an animated avatar, a special badge...)
1
65 resp.
6%
2
98 resp.
9%
3
187 resp.
16%
4
195 resp.
17%
5
159 resp.
14%
6
160 resp.
14%
7
137 resp.
12%
8
84 resp.
7%
9
65 resp.
6%
Early access to new platform features
1
28 resp.
2%
2
69 resp.
6%
3
116 resp.
10%
4
199 resp.
17%
5
231 resp.
20%
6
214 resp.
19%
7
141 resp.
12%
8
105 resp.
9%
9
47 resp.
4%
Exclusive QoL features
1
25 resp.
2%
2
47 resp.
4%
3
75 resp.
7%
4
94 resp.
8%
5
139 resp.
12%
6
206 resp.
18%
7
231 resp.
20%
8
218 resp.
19%
9
115 resp.
10%
Early access to mods (mod creator controls)
1
51 resp.
4%
2
109 resp.
9%
3
82 resp.
7%
4
148 resp.
13%
5
159 resp.
14%
6
149 resp.
13%
7
182 resp.
16%
8
219 resp.
19%
9
51 resp.
4%
Premium mods (one subscription to access all)
1
50 resp.
4%
2
40 resp.
3%
3
50 resp.
4%
4
38 resp.
3%
5
57 resp.
5%
6
57 resp.
5%
7
102 resp.
9%
8
202 resp.
18%
9
554 resp.
48%
What would you consider a fair price for a monthly premium subscription?
Total responses: 1150
0 - 4
358 resp.
31%
4 - 8
597 resp.
52%
8 - 12
135 resp.
12%
12 - 16
37 resp.
3%
20 - 24
15 resp.
1%
28 - 32
3 resp.
0%
32 - 36
1 resp.
0%
48+
4 resp.
0%
When you consider purchasing a subscription, what is the main factor you base your decision on?
Categorization was done by AI and might contain inaccuracies
Total responses: 804
Price, cost-benefit analysis, affordability, and value for money, including comparisons to existing expenses such as university expenses, minimum wage, gas, and other subscriptions
335 resp.
42%
Quality, quantity, usefulness, and range of content or mods available
143 resp.
18%
Support provided to the platform, mod creators, or modding community
127 resp.
16%
Responses that don't answer the question appropriately, e.g. spam or hard to interpret responses
114 resp.
14%
Novel, unique, or compelling benefits offered by the subscription, such as increased download speed, no ads, bonus features, access to exclusive content, or voting on mod ideas
99 resp.
12%
Aversion to subscriptions or subscription-based business models, including preferences for free or one-time payment models
80 resp.
10%
Frequency of use of the platform or mods, and how that impacts the subscription decision
77 resp.
10%
Reputation and history of the platform, including user/browse experience, scams or controversies, and treatment of users
50 resp.
6%
Responses that mention regional factors, such as currency exchange rates, as an influencing factor.
10 resp.
1%
Availability or preference of specific payment methods, such as PayPal
8 resp.
1%
If a premium subscription could be used to support mod creators and tool development, would you consider purchasing one?
Total responses: 1139
Yes
834 resp.
73%
No
305 resp.
27%
One last question! How old are you?
Total responses: 1150
19-25
422 resp.
37%
13-18
226 resp.
20%
26-32
203 resp.
18%
Prefer not to say
152 resp.
13%
33+
147 resp.
13%