Tes3Mod:Midgetalien talks about modding Morrowind

Article originally written by Gstaff, and hosted on the Bethblog. 
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Introduction
This week we’re talking with Morrowind modder Midgetalien. Hailing from the UK, he’s a 19-year-old studying Ancient History and Archaeology. I asked him if he had anything interesting to share with the community, Simon (that’s his real name) claims he has no fingers on his right hand.

Here’s what he had to say about his modding experience.

Interview
:''Gstaff: How did you get into modding? Can you talk about the first mod you ever worked on?

Midgetalien: Why did i get into modding? I don’t really know, I guess that i liked the idea of being able to add new content to the game. When I first joined the community I made loads of requests for, what I now see as really small details (such as adding soul gems to a merchant), then someone said “hey why not do it yourself?” It kinda grew from there.The first mod i ever worked on was a personnel Balmora Expanded mod. Theres a couple out there already but they were not what i was looking for. I never released that mod because it was so buggy and conflicted with way to many others. I may go back and change it. After that my first public release was Vampire Lair. Currently at version 4 it is unstable and instead of fixing those bugs i am working on a complete new version starting from scratch.

:Gstaff: Do you work on projects outside of Morrowind?

Midgetalien: Yes but nothing to do with modding. I like to write and draw. I am currently writing a book that I one day hope to finish. Its on its seventh, possibly eighth version now. It’s more of a private project that I want to achieve but maybe someday i will seek to get it published.

:Gstaff: What has been the biggest challenge for you in modding the game?

Midgetalien: Scripting! I can do basic functions now and can usually help people with their problems. As many modders will tell you, scripting is the hardest and the most rewarding skill in modding Morrowind (besides modeling!!), but once you understand how the scripts flow and work, it gets easier.

:Gstaff: Do actively seek help from other modders in the community?

Midgetalien: Yes! I am still new at modding, I have only been modding for Morrowind for about a year, maybe more. I have only just scratched the surface of modding, I am expanding into nifskope and modeling programs as well as creating textures and re-texturing models. With the likes of Vality, Princess Stomper, Darknut, Sandman101, Fliggerty and many others with modding experience all in one place it makes it easier to solve a problem.

:Gstaff: Talk about some of your favorite projects. What mod(s) do you feel best about?

Midgetalien: The mods I feel best about? None of them! I always feel unhappy with my mods…by that I mean I always feel they can be improved. But if I had to pick any I would say my favorite mods have to be my Scripted Summoning Mod, and my Tweaks and Additions mod. The Summoning mod, because it was the hardest accomplishment. I had to build the scripts from scratch, with guidance from Bjam, and had learn a whole new level of modding, which has allowed me to gain more skills. My Tweaks and Additions mod, because I feel it is the most useful, in terms of that its not just a mod, but a mod that adds a wide range of modifications and additions to the game that improve gameplay and fix any bugs that modders over the years have pointed out, as well as adding new content to the game.

:Gstaff: Any projects you’re working on now that you’d like to announce to others?

Midgetalien: Currently the only major projects I am working on are Midgetalien’s Tweaks and Additions Version 4, which fixes loads more bugs in the game and adds some more new content. It’s a project that I am constantly working on and updating. You can find more information on that here. Another one that i am working on is Morrowind is Doooomed!! Chicken Style. Its an idea that me and xeth-ban were talking about online and suddenly i decided that it would make an enjoyable mod. So i got xeth-ban to draw up some ideas and i started working on it. More information on it can be found here.

:Gstaff: Do you tire of working on Morrowind?. Is there another game you’re looking to mod?

Midgetalien: No, I don’t tire of modding Morrowind! So many ideas running around. If I am not tweaking a house, I’m re-texturing a sword to give it a different effect and when I am not doing that I’m writing ideas down!!I don’t mod for any other game, as they have limitations which Morrowind doesn’t have. Morrowind seems to have a more easy access to mod, and its hassle free, in most cases.

:Gstaff: What would your dream project entail?

Midgetalien: Hmm…I don’t know. I would say a TC, but it would get rid of the whole feel of Morrowind that I enjoy.

:Gstaff: Has modding games helped you with any “real world” work in your life?

Midgetalien: Yes and no. Through modding, I understand the basics of script Syntax and layout as well as becoming more fluent in photoshop, which has helped to improve my computer skills which looks good on a CV.

:Gstaff: Would you ever give up modding to work in development?

Midgetalien: Hmmm….no, I would work in development but I would still mod Morrowind.

Comments
(as of 19:05, 02 November 2014 UTC)

BlackIce, Leftie said on Monday, November 26, 2007 at 1:32 pm: 
Hail to the Modders of Morrowind. Now if I could just figure out how to work ZipGenius6..

Mike "Darknut" Niccum said on Monday, November 26, 2007 at 3:03 pm: 
Excellent interview … Good Choice

brett "the amazing spamer" said on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 9:25 pm: 
man i have a hard time retextureing cuz of the multiple textures, i can only get either the purple one or the dark one. ive checked a bunch of sites but can gert it, can smeone plaese give me a step by step(if possible)

thanks =)

Eddie "LostInFangorn" Bishop said on Friday, November 30, 2007 at 9:45 pm: 
I have to say it great to see the mmodder’s interviews. I remember when MA appeared on the forums, and to see the modder that he is yet to become is astounding. Thanks to all the modders for their contributions. Thanks to Bethesda for such a great game.

Midgetalien said on Friday, November 30, 2007 at 9:57 pm: 
hey guys! Thanks for the interview (though spelt my name wrong :P) also thanks to the kind comments.

I think its great that morrowind still gets a lot of press from its fan base, and it is strange how the community continues to grow.

take care all.
~MA~

Pete said on Friday, November 30, 2007 at 10:25 pm: 
Well we can’t have that! Fixed it. Sorry about that.

Pete

Earth Wyrm said on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 6:58 pm:'' 
This was a cool interview.
MidgetAlien seems a pretty cool guy, though I’ve never really talked to him on a personal level. His enthusiasm in his projects is almost as impressive as the amount of them. :D