User Generated Content, or UGC, is a concept that exists throughout many industries, weaving the creative will of users into the original vision of the content creators. You’ll likely already be using it, be it through mods or custom skins and game maps – but when you’re downloading things like the best Minecraft mods, are you using them to their full potential?
Many PC gamers consume UGC without even trying, so we can get a little blind to its active benefits over time. Games like The Sims 4 and Fortnite run on a model that has UGC flowing through the very heart of it, it’s possible that some of your favourite elements of these games were created by fellow fans – after all, it’s not hard to stumble upon some of the best Sims 4 mods when playing.
Even developers who aren’t quite so enthused about mods are increasingly coming around to the power of the fanbase, utilising the sheer unbridled creativity that comes from a genuine love for a game’s world or community. As such, you no longer need to fall down clandestine rabbit holes on dodgy websites to enjoy content from your fellow players – most of the time you’ll see it front and centre on official game websites, or reputable third-party sites like CurseForge.
If you’ve been kicking back and sleeping on UGC, we’re here to empower you to find and download the best stuff out there – consuming these community-created enhancements intentionally and seeing what a difference they make to your gaming experience.
Make it your own
If you’re one of those people who spends more time in the character creation engine than playing the game itself, or perhaps a budding Sims architect, one of the best aspects of UGC is how it brings a personal touch to the games you love. If you can’t quite get your character to have the same hair as you, or you want a wider range of options when it comes to furnishing your virtual world, mods and custom content should be your first port of call.
By browsing UGC sites and collections, you’ll be able to tap into fashion trends that may have passed the original developers by, or turn the modern day into a colourful fantasy realm. Even better, if you spy one of your favourite content creators playing a vanilla game with a modded twist, you can follow their lead and try it out for yourself.
Most games can easily become a closer reflection of your real world, incorporating all your favourite things – so wear that football jersey, decorate with those band posters, and find the perfect eye colour for your virtual self.
Enhance your game
Not only can you make characters look like you, or give them your childhood bedroom to hang out in, you can also go wild and wacky. Games that may have been your favourite for years but now feel a little stale often just need a UGC boost. From Minecraft to Grand Theft Auto 5, the inclusion of UGC into the games marketplace has allowed passionate players to create whole new maps, levels, and challenges.
You may well have played Skyrim back to front and side to side, but don’t forget that by using UGC you can add in shiny new areas to explore. You’ll find the game just as exciting as when you started, maybe even reigniting an old passion. Likewise, many games have the ability for other users to add map pointers and custom levels through the base game itself, like the later additions to the Assassin’s Creed series. Using these location indicators, you can easily find where the best areas for XP gain are, or indulge in a little extra lore. Treat yourself.
And if you’re not looking to make any fundamental changes to the game, there’s also UGC that can help you develop your skills or capture replays in competitive games like League of Legends and Valorant. Overwolf in particular has a range of overlay apps that can help you improve your skills, without making any changes to the game itself and in such a way that won’t get you banned from your chosen game.
Collaborate with the community
Games that incorporate UGC, either intentionally through official channels, or through modding sites, generally end up fostering a close sense of community. The driving force behind creating this content as a fellow player is to express and share your love for the game with other fans, investing time and creativity in doing so.
Being a part of the UGC community brings players together, allows them to comment on each other’s creations, and encourages a dialogue around the game itself. Don’t be a stranger – these communities that gather on Reddit or Discord, sometimes breathing life into a game that is already decades old, are there for the taking.
Responding to UGC in this way can also be a catalyst for the original developers to improve the base game, as they’ll often listen to what the community wants by way of quality-of-life mods. This has happened with games such as No Man’s Sky and Team Fortress 2, enabling a more meaningful discussion between creators and fans to take place.
Improve your skills
If you’re already knee-deep in competitive gaming, let us remind you that a wide range of UGC is specifically focused on enhancing your gameplay abilities. Don’t forget to use these apps and mods as a training arena for some of your favourite competitive games and grow your skills. The next time you hit a skill wall in Overwatch, download a UGC level designed to improve teamwork, aim, or speed.
The easiest and most efficient way to keep an eye on all your custom content and mods is through CurseForge. CurseForge is a mod manager that keeps all your UGC in one place for games like The Sims 4, Minecraft, Terraria, Skyrim, and more. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll be able to enable auto-updates, ensure all your UGC is from reputable sources, and even reward and support your favourite creators.
