So I have been playing “Starfield” since launch, three years ago now, and I really enjoy it. I have also been livestreaming and making videos with “Starfield” for most of that time, because that’s just how I roll. But something keeps coming up from viewers of my content that I’d like to address, being my use of Mods.
To put it bluntly, many of my viewers don’t consider a modded playthrough of the game to be legitimate, and I can see why they feel that way. They were looking to watch a Vanilla playthrough, and somehow ended up on my tiny little Youtube channel, and had to watch me playing a game that is modded to the gills. I expect that made them a tad upset, and in some cases, they told me exactly what they thought of that.
Okay, fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Now here’s the thing: I have played “Starfield” since launch. I had my first game save file break on Xbox before mods were even available there, losing my main character that had many runs through Unity and was nearly level 300. I have also lost another save that held my next main, who was around level 560, plus many other characters of various levels.
In short, I’ve made my bones when it comes to playing this game, both Vanilla and otherwise.
So now I play as I wish, which means I play for enjoyment. I don’t feel the need to grind my way through skills, research, crafting, and even leveling, because I’ve done it all before. These are all grinds placed into the game to drag out the experience, rather than add any enjoyment to the game.
I would rather play through the main storylines, the DLCs, and the many quest mods I have added to my game. I would rather make different choices, play in different styles, focus on different companions (or play with none at all). That is what I consider to be fun. If that isn’t for you, then neither is my “Starfield” Youtube series.
Now what can I do about this? I don’t want people coming to my Youtube channel to see a “Starfield” video, then be disappointed or even outright angered by seeing that I use mods. I have considered placing a disclaimer on my videos, so people know in advance what they will be getting, but guess what? I still end up getting the same reaction from disgruntled viewers, even when I have posted that I’m playing with mods in my game.
It would seem that there are people who just want to see vanilla play, and if you use mods, they don’t like it. In short, if you don’t play how they want, then they will give you hell about it.
Sorry, but Scormey don’t play that.
I got out of livestreaming for a couple of different reasons, such as being unable to focus on playing my game by constantly having to answer viewers questions or comments, and feeling like a dancing monkey constantly asked to perform for viewers whims. Backseat gamers were my biggest issue, where viewers were constantly telling me how I should be playing, and of course, what mods I should or should not be using.
What I’m experiencing now, with some viewers adamantly against the use of mods in “Starfield”, is basically just the same. As far as I’m concerned, if people don’t want to see mods being used in a “Starfield” video, they can buy the game themselves and play it in vanilla form as much as they want. Nobody is making them watch my videos, nor are their comments required.
What I’m playing is “Starfield”, but also not. It is enhanced play, simple as that. If that isn’t for you, fine, watch something else. But I will continue to play as I want, and the only opinion about mods that matters to me is my own.