Many popular games over the last few decades actually began as modifications, or “mods,” created by fans of other games. With more open development tools available, particularly on PCs, players have been able to build amazing projects. Some of these mods have become successful games in their own right, launching the creators into professional game development. Incredibly, a few have even grown into huge franchises, becoming more popular than the original games they started from.
Here are seven of the best games that began as mods.
7) Killing Floor
Originally, Killing Floor began as a modification for the game Unreal Tournament 2004 in 2005. The creator, Alex Quick, later teamed up with Tripwire Interactive, who released a complete, standalone version of the game in 2009. Since its inception, Killing Floor has been a pioneer in the wave-based co-op shooter genre. Players team up to battle waves of zombie-like creatures, and improving your character with better weapons and abilities is crucial for survival, especially when facing tougher bosses at higher difficulty levels.
6) Team Fortress Classic
Team Fortress began as a simple modification for the game Quake, letting players battle online as two opposing teams. Even then, it featured distinct character classes with special abilities and several game modes that became fan favorites. Later, Valve hired the creators to develop a complete game called Team Fortress Classic, built on the Half-Life engine. This version was also very successful, but it was eventually overshadowed by Team Fortress 2, which launched on Steam in 2007. Interestingly, fans later created another mod, Fortress Forever, for Half-Life 2, aiming to recreate the gameplay of the original Team Fortress Classic using a more modern engine. It’s a testament to the game’s enduring appeal and a complete return to its roots.
5) The Stanley Parable
Developer Galactic Cafe originally created The Stanley Parable as a modification for the game Half-Life 2. They then spent two years building a fully independent version using the same engine, and added a lot of new material. Both the mod and the standalone game were praised by critics and players, largely because of how the narrator reacts to your decisions. It’s a funny and thought-provoking game that explores ideas about storytelling and even free will. It’s best to go in knowing as little as possible to fully enjoy the experience.
4) The Forgotten City
Originally created as a free mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in 2015, The Forgotten City was later developed into a full game by Modern Storytellers. This expanded version launched on PC and consoles in 2021. The game is set within a time loop, creating a fascinating and detailed city to investigate. But what truly captivates players is the game’s brilliant writing, which delves into complex moral questions and cleverly incorporates new discoveries into each cycle. Everything in the game is interconnected, and unraveling its secrets is incredibly rewarding.
3) Dota 2
Dota 2 started as a player-created modification, or ‘mod,’ for the game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. Originally called Defense of the Ancients, it became incredibly popular. Many people contributed to developing this early version of the MOBA genre, but Valve eventually hired IceFrog to create a standalone game using his version of DotA with a new engine. When Dota 2 launched in 2013, it quickly became a worldwide hit and fostered a thriving professional esports scene. It’s also worth mentioning that other popular MOBAs, like Heroes of the Storm and League of Legends, were created by developers who originally worked on DotA, making this a significant foundation for all three games.
2) PUBG: Battlegrounds
PUBG’s origins trace back to a popular modification of the game DayZ, which itself started as a mod for ARMA 2. DayZ then created a battle royale mode inspired by the Japanese film Battle Royale. When DayZ evolved into a standalone game, the creator of PUBG, PlayerUnknown, shifted his mod to ARMA 3. Ultimately, PUBG became a completely separate game and helped popularize the battle royale genre worldwide.
PUBG quickly became incredibly popular, surpassing Dota 2 as the most-played game on Steam. It inspired many similar games, with Fortnite being the most successful and becoming a huge hit itself.
1) Counter-Strike
I still can’t believe Counter-Strike started as just a mod for Half-Life! Luckily, the folks at Valve saw how amazing it was and decided to fully support it, bringing on Minh Le and Jess Cliffe to really make it shine. It was so realistic and engaging that it quickly blew up and became the huge series we know and love today.
The Counter-Strike series began with Condition Zero, a solo campaign. Source followed, bringing updated graphics and physics with the new Source engine. However, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive became the most beloved installment, adding new game types and a better matchmaking system. Even though some fans were hesitant about Counter-Strike 2 replacing CS:GO in 2023, it’s still incredibly popular on Steam. It’s quite a legacy for a game that started as a simple mod back in 1998.
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2026-01-28 22:14