Console Mods! 7 Days to Die | Xbox & PlayStation Darkness Falls?

[@SnowBee]

A complex issue that has no hope for console players wanting Overhaul Mods. Have I not considered something? Missed something? Please drop a comment. You are welcome to join my Discord: SnowBee's Hive - discord.gg/Dugwpe9mAd EDIT: So, seems the "Ark question" is brought up now and then. Questions: Ark Ascended has great cross platform support for mods, so it should be fine, eventually? This is my answer, please let me know if you think it is crap or not, or whether you agree or disagree? First of all, I want to make it clear that I am not saying mods are not happening on console! They very likely will, just not in the scale we would like them to happen. Total conversion mods in Ark Ascended, these can still be a problem on console, so not everything is available, but most things are. Unreal Engine 5 supports modding out of the box, while Unity is a bit behind. So, Ark has a big advantage with that. Unity’s scripting languages, often C# (and the language often used with overhaul mods), are the same across platforms, but consoles often have stricter sandboxing and security requirements that limit how scripts can run. This means that for mods involving extensive scripting or custom logic, some mods may need to be tailored to work within the security constraints of each platform. In a nutshell, the nature of how C# functions with the Unity engine for consoles is right now a problem. So a lot of work must be done to overcome that on console. If money is pumped into that, then it could be done, but right now, no chance.

[@Meatwad787]

I like turtles

[@sharonk.3107]

I bought a laptop for under $800 and it plays 7 days perfectly. This game is the sole reason I bought one and I will admit the change was mind blowing. So, now that I have gotten the hang of installing mods, ( DF was the first mod I tried) the game is even more exciting.

[@SnowBee]

Yes, mods certainly do open the game up and it helps to be able to play them on a good system. Thanks for sharing :)

[@dyne322_gaming]

Good work as always Bee! Really did your research and went above and beyond when getting answers. It's easy to forget the how and why behind Bethesda having console Mod support, but it comes down to what you said. They put in a lot of work with Sony and MS to get things working, but they also release a mod kit that makes things a bit easier. I don't foresee something like that being available for 7dtd, as that mod kit was unique to Bethesda's game engine, but I also don't see TFP taking a ton of time to work with both Sony and MS in order to get something to the scale that Bethesda has. Like you said too, that's all before you even take into account performance... Let's be fair, as much as we love our mods, not all mods are made the same and some of them can run a rampant with your resources. Anyway, good video! Keep up the good work!

[@SnowBee]

Thanks. Yes, well said. :)

[@KevinSY]

I don't see TFP's even motivated to do much about console mods. It has taken a decade to get to where we are now. How is something so difficult going to actually be a reality.

[@dyne322_gaming]

@@KevinSY It's not "difficult" per say, it's just a dedicated effort to do something outside of what they are already doing. Given their track record so far, it's probably for the best that they only seem to be interested in the easiest option, but even that will require dedication to ensure it's done correctly and implemented well. After well over 15 years of them working on this, it's hard to say what their motivation is, if their motivations are aligned and who is winning the fight to have their motivation win by the true "gold" release of the game, but that's all I'll say for that lol. Remember, people were modding console files well before Bethesda rolled out their Mod workshop space. There were limitations, for sure, but it was being done even as far back as the NES (though, recent tech has made that SO much easier, see rom-hacks for example). I was modding Payday 2 files on the Xbox when that was still relevant, same with Mass Effect 2 (though the latter was more just save file manipulation). Things being always online makes them a lot harder now a days (everything kicks off with a verification), but people will find a way.

[@slingblade1981]

Id be happy with some quality of life mods like wireless crafting.

[@SnowBee]

I wonder if XML can do that. I have a feeling it is custom code that brings that feature to us. I am unsure.

[@MrMemelord00]

It would make games more long lasting so its a net positive in my book regardless of the effort required

[@SnowBee]

I agree, it has done wonders for PC, so I hope more money is pumped into mods for console. Certainly will give the game longer life and more money for TFP. Win win for everyone, even if TFP just do some basic mods for console.

[@MrMemelord00]

@@SnowBee 100%

[@TallmanBradGameplay]

What a great video, well researched and produced extremely professionally. Thank you for the time you take to create these videos and the support you give to all of the modders.

[@SnowBee]

Excellent, thanks very much for the kind words! Much appreciated :)

[@MTF-EPSILON-11-5-NULL]

@@SnowBeehonestly imagine if Microsoft and Sony help game devs with games like optimizations and what not

[@shak650l]

Great explanations Bee

[@SnowBee]

Thanks shak

[@Rockyrockzgaming]

Well said snow

[@Unknowngaming-ukg]

7 days to die is what brought me back to PC from PS4. MODS are great and stinks consoles can't adopt mods like PC. I feel the pain, I was console.from 2017ish to 2022 on console.verison 7 days. Watching mods! Good info video explaining this for new console players!

[@SnowBee]

Thanks :)

[@markdavenportjr5129]

They just need to release a universal open sourced Linux OS for the consoles and everything will be gtg.

[@SnowBee]

Do you think that will really help? I mean, don't you think Sony and Microsoft will still be completely paranoid about access to every part of the OS and hardware?

[@Sannare-OG]

Firstly thank-you for vid that was extremely informative. What you presented was something I suspected for a period of time. 7dtd follows a unique way of providing mods, namely through C# which was going to make it difficult. But the final issue of not allowing binary mod files ended any possible porting. Also I was quite interested to hear that the C# files are converted to C++ by Unity at some point.

[@SnowBee]

Yes, a huge amount of work and system changing would have to be done if those custom code mods were allowed. I don't see TFP starting from scratch for the sake of mods. :(

[@Drone2games]

I totally get where they are saying , but I can see certain mods coming to.console, I know alot wouldn't be to and I have no problems with that. It would most likely be like farming simulater, or Ark ascended and that would be great. Thanks for the info.👍

[@RoxYgen03]

I always assumed this would be the case. The games that have great modding communities for console games are usually backed by larger developers/publishers with the funds and man power to do such things. It’s unfortunate, but even with server side mods that’s still a win in my book. Honestly I’m just glad it’s on console finally🤷

[@SnowBee]

Once crossplay kicks in, that will also increase the online user numbers as well. Hope it does work.

[@lordfluffatized3135]

The closest consols will get is more or less DLCs to 7d2d but its Very expensive to get a game on consol wich is more or less what modders would need to do TFP would have to hire the modder. Then go to sony/microsoft to pitch it prove its safe etc. Then test it etc Thats not counting the hardware limits Consols are so protective of their ecosystem theirs alot of hoops to jump through

[@SnowBee]

Agreed, and after you have jumped through all those hoops... they find more for you to jump through.

[@maniacal1870]

I sorta hope the modders find a way to pull the graphical updates from 1.0, but never go past 21. 1.0 brings nothing apart from shiny new graphics, everything else is a huge downgrade imho.

[@SnowBee]

I know some modders have been trying to do some optimisation, but right now there is not much of worth.

[@Slingblade2040]

No lie that overhaul mods have made the 7dtd experience so much better. I feel bad for console players who will miss out on amazing overhaul mods like Darkness falls, undead legacy and my current favorite After Life.

[@SnowBee]

It is good to hear you are enjoying AL. Have you just started or already many hours?

[@Slingblade2040]

@SnowBee many, many hours, lol. Horde nights have been my main issue due to my stubbornness with horde base design. Just finished up the day 35 horde and more recently acquired the motorcycle. The mod is great, and it does offer a good challenge with how much it extended the early game and limits progression, but from what I learned there is more or less a path to make things much easier. I will say that the perks could use a redesign because outside of the survival perks the rest seem pointless.

[@SnowBee]

Hey Slingblade. I have been contemplating whether you can play AL like other mods, albeit, slower. Normally, you just plough on upgrading this and that... as you progress you just keep upgrading your perks and acquiring magazines. However, I think this is the wrong approach, you must concentrate full out on certain magazine progress, and I am curious what you think. For example, water is most important at the start. However, from a magazine point of view, the wrench is quite far (magazine level 20), and then you also have no way of exploring very far owing to no vehicle. There is also a lack of upgrading owing no forge/workbench. Finally, I think the medical magazines are important so as to get to the herbal antibiotics, which will make keeping your infection low a pretty easy task. So, catch 22. What do you go for first, which means sacrificing many important magazines for the sake of getting those particular ones. I think salvage is important, so probably the wrench first and then maybe the vehicle one. Getting at least a mini bike is important for more exploring. Then the forge magazines. What do you think?

[@Slingblade2040]

@SnowBee I did it a bit differently. I focused on certain magazines and goals such as getting a forge and workbench first, but by doing that and also ignoring the perks for survival, which helped with vitality, it severely crippled my character because for some insane reason I went with loot goblin as my perk choices lol. With low vitality, my stamina recovery greatly suffered, which caused combat issues, which meant much slower progress when out looting. Focusing on the forge and workbench first also made managing the infection an issue since low Vitality meant infection rate also increased at a rapid rate. Perk wise, the mod doesn't have much wiggle room. You either get the survival perks for vitality or risk a much much tougher early game. Water isn't much of an issue since setting up a few campfires fixes the problem. Food might be a bit tougher, but with so many animals that also is easy, just ignore the deer and focus on small animals. Personally I view getting survival perks along with medical to level 40 as the best way to start off as it then makes the infection and Vitality problems an after thought. Once those two goals are achieved its the forge and work bench, then bicycle. Then tools. Then weapons then mini bike and after mini bike construction tools.

[@SnowBee]

@@Slingblade2040 Great thoughts on that. I think from a magazine point I would like to try a "vehicle first" playthrough to get the bicycle. With that it will help with exploring and obtaining more magazines. At least in theory. Of course, what you say about your vitality and medical magazines is also important. Yeah, difficult choices.

[@azirus]

Damn, almost hit the mark with my prediction, by 2 seconds :)

[@SnowBee]

Haha, I had to go back and read your comment in the discord to figure out what you meant :) I knew it was related, but forgot. Actually on my side it says you were out by only 1 second! Pretty good guess.

[@azirus]

@@SnowBee yeah, lucky me.

[@SnowBee]

Well, I guess if I had a 7d2d serial key, you would have won that... but I don't, so for now live in the bliss of a good guess. You are a wise old owl :) Are you playing any 7 Days to die these days? Waiting for UL?

[@azirus]

@@SnowBee hehe thanks but then I'd have to give the key to someone else :) Tbh not much, kinda playing other games. But updated UL would definitely get me back in no time :)

[@RodgerL-s4m]

I think they will come. Soon as devs give the green light. Ark, has done this with consoles and it’s working mostly well.

[@SnowBee]

Without a valid means to deal with overhaul mods makes it a current impossibility for them to work. I don't see TFP changing things so far into version 1. Still, we can hope :)

[@yeaf53dfuhv]

Yes consoles are gwtting mods theres already a folder for mods/ pathing on the xbox version , even options to enable mods on server just not toggled on yet

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, we will have to see what "mods" that is going to be used for. With three different categories of mods for 7D2D, I would believe custom code mods have no chance, which is the main point of the video. The other two categories, well, they are up for grabs of how far TFP will go.

[@liamjohnson8514]

Its a sad truth but thats unfortunately how it has always been for A LONG time :')

[@SnowBee]

Yes, it is wishful thinking to hope as well. If Bethesda had a struggle, I highly doubt TFP would do better.

[@dannydaye9449]

Honestly, as a console player, If we had a fully functioning game I would not care about the year or two it will take for mod support...i'd be happy exploring the 750 new POI's, having electricity and traps...gyrocopters and motorbikes... instead I've gotten to pay again, to come back to a game that is no more complete than Alpha 19-21...it was just more progression overhauls, new skins, an untried wardrobe change and a challenge system that was clearly not tested for logic and balance.

[@SnowBee]

Yes, I was just mentioning to someone that as much as we say "console has finally caught up to pc", it is actually not true. There are some basic stuff like your random gen worlds, or better MP options, that would make life a lot better for console users.

[@dannydaye9449]

@@SnowBee I joined the TFP discord to see if there was any news about when crossplay is coming...got into a one vs all the PC TFP Stans that populate it. (TFP did tease it was coming sooner than later) Apparently this re-release, literally named "7 DTD 1.0 CONSOLE VERSION" was not aimed at console players, so I should not complain. They think this was done for their benefit. How do I get thru to them that every decision TFP made since they got the rights back in 2019 was to dumb the game down to fit on console? They could have updated the game...chose not to, because they could get ALL of the money on a re-release. They could have followed the Rust example and developed a great PC game and a very good console version that gets updates based off of the PC version. there were a couple of good options...they choose the shitty selfish one... it's a little frustrating...and it's still not finished...for anyone, but, you guys got mods sooooooooo fuck console I guess.

[@SnowBee]

That is a shame to hear :( Yeah, it sucks.

[@meinungsfreiheit7004]

You can still do a ton with xml's, so console players can still await some exciting stuff.

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, on 7daystodiemods.com there is a section of "server side" mods. There are quite a few, though not many for v1 yet. However, it is just not the same as those adding in custom resources and overhaul mods. I will say, I think you are correct as when consoles are also able to do mods, the pool of modders will increase considerably and you could get some pretty good options coming out from all those brains. At least to balance and tweak the game for a better vanilla experience.

[@joshuaflores6511]

What about a seperate dlc for mods like darkness falls? I'd pay a modest fee for something like that. TFP needs to hire Khaine to make that available to us console peasants lol

[@SnowBee]

Haha, yeah, that is a really good idea. :)

[@melissamew3979]

❤❤ ty, but this is sad. I would love to play Darkness Falls and Undead Legacy on my xbox.

[@SnowBee]

Yes, a lot of players will miss out.

[@kennethfrost238]

Man, I just want random gen worlds

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, there are a few really basic things that consoles are missing. I am guessing worrying about mods is still in the future for some people. Catching up with the PC world is still an ongoing thing for consoles :(

[@boulder40]

Ok so how does ark do this then? They check all the boxes for not having it but they have mods

[@SnowBee]

Well, let me make sure you understand that I am not saying mods are not happening. They very likely will, just not in the scale we would like them to happen. So, total conversion mods in Ark, these can still be a problem on console, so not everything is available, but most things are. Unreal Engine 5 supports modding out of the box, while Unity is a bit behind. So, Ark has a big advantage with that. Unity’s scripting languages (usually C#), are the same across platforms, but consoles like Playstation and Xbox often have stricter sandboxing and security requirements that limit how scripts can run. This means that for mods involving extensive scripting or custom logic, some mods may need to be tailored to work within the security constraints of each platform. In a nutshell, the nature of how C# functions with the Unity engine for consoles is right now a problem. So a lot of work must be done to overcome that on console. If money is pumped into that, then it could be done, but right now, no chance.

[@prezzeruk4054]

Iam playing 7 days on ps5 and i love it! I played on ps4 for ages, until they stopped support. Iam not angry mods arent on console....just disappointed! Base 7 days is still an awesome game! The performance needs working on tho, that framerate can tank in large cities and buildings with alot of zombies, can get unplayable at times!

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, I believe I read one of the devs saying performance is being addressed in an update, hopefully this year.

[@mattgendron5491]

This doesn't make much since considering that Ark Ascended has the same PC mods available for ps5

[@SnowBee]

What doesn't make sense? The difficulty on getting mods on console? That is a given, it is industry standard for mods to be a pain to get onto console. Just the nature of dealing with a closed system. The existence of mods in 7 Days to Die is not being denied for Console. It will likely happen, however, the problem is in the type of mods that will be available owing how TFP deal with C# code. I have played Ark Ascended with mods, does it even have mods that are of the same scope as Undead Legacy or Darkness Falls? I mean, the c# coding going on in some of these mods is pretty different from the use of the Unreal Engine in Ark. So, my issue is not whether mods will be playable on console. That I believe will happen, if we are lucky. Owing to my coverage of overhaul mods, it is mods like Darkness Falls or Undead Legacy that I most often get asked about by console players. Overhaul mods, now that is the problem, unfortunately.

[@norad6067]

Thanks

[@SnowBee]

Welcome :)

[@toastbrot_2317]

I have the feeling they are scamming us console players again. Still no update since launch, bad performance and they didnt declare xbox series s can only host 2 Player Sessions. So i already got scammed because i wanted to play with my friends and cant.

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, I was quite surprised over the Series S revelation. I believe I read one of the devs said recently that an update is coming (this year I think) to address performance.

[@williammcleroy558]

At this point if you can get a decent gaming PC for the price of an Xbox then you should. Not sure that is possible.

[@killerelite4209]

We need mods in these games

[@SnowBee]

Agreed 👍

[@John-eh6jg]

So I am a tec NOOB . But skyrim has mods for xbox that really enhanced the gameplay . Why was that mod allowed but a game like 7 days to die won't allow? Seeing that row of vehicle's you shared halfway through the video made me so jealous I could spit nails lol damnnnn you consoles@!! Good video buddy

[@SnowBee]

That is the second category I mentioned, with your own assets and resources. If TFP, MS and Sony partnered on creating an environment that would secure the consoles, then a limited system could be done. I just don't see that happening for now. It is the 3rd category that has zero chance, but you can do a lot if a modder could at least have their own resources downloaded to a console. I am doubtful it will happen, just too much work for TFP, also ongoing maintenance of the system.

[@John-eh6jg]

True i know you are correct . I guess it was just wishful thinking lol the mods for skyrim on console made me play the game for an extra 6 or 7yrs that I normally would have played because it made the game brand new again ... I will keep my optimism and hope one day mods will come to console for 7 days to die

[@SnowBee]

@@John-eh6jg Well, if TFP do keep getting good money from the game, you never know, they may just decide to pour a lot of money into getting things fixed for console mods. I still stand by the overhaul mods problem being too much of a problem to overcome, but you can get a huge number of mods added if you just were able to get around some kind of download to the console for custom assets. That would open up a huge world of mods for the console.

[@alexandercorvenus1268]

I would love to have diffrent guns or diffrent zombies on xbox, but console hardly ever get what we want seems well just have to watch videos about them and not play them, or perhaps the greedy route will be taken and we could get mods as add ons

[@SnowBee]

Yip, does not appear there is any chance of mods with any custom code or resources. So most of the good ones will be out.

[@surofusionkamp4228]

if 7dtd wont get overhaul mods then how does ark asa got them could their be overhaul mods that could be for console only?

[@SnowBee]

Hi Surofusion. I made a pinned comment about this, it can help answer this :)

[@blainebickle1178]

I thought TFP said console would never have mods. Maybe I'm misremembering?

[@SnowBee]

There is always a chance you could be correct, but I have never seen it documented and I searched high and low for it. Especially as two modders also thought it was said coding mods would never be supported.

[@blainebickle1178]

@@SnowBee I sure hope they find a way to do it. The base game is great, but the possibilities are endless with mods. I use PC myself, but I want console players to get to experience the mods like we PC gamers do.

[@Randomonium66]

Its super easy to get bored with vanilla. I can't play without mods at all. TFP is absolute trash at implementing fun changes or qol features.

[@SnowBee]

I have not played much of vanilla. It didn't take long to start wanting mods.

[@Bluemerlehikes]

Ark has proven consoles can have mods like pc

[@Oldgamerdude]

Only because wild card pays a 3rd party mod hosting site which regulates and updates mods and is in direct contact with Sony and microsoft and has already passed certification. They are basicly the middle man. Without this no mods would be possible unless they are hard coded in the original release submission.

[@EvilReaper-wr3yh]

Theres more than just Ark that has mods on console

[@SnowBee]

Yeah, this is not a plain black/white issue, I think. Studio wildcard created a system that allowed mods to be created, tested and used in a controlled environment. Studio Wild Card uses Mod.io, which supports modding on console, but it is not as free, and is limited when compared to the Steam Workshop. So, Mod.io can allow mods to be be pre-approved so they don't violate the console rules and security/licensing guidelines. The mods are also limited, often quite cosmetic in nature, and make some tweaks. However, they do allow you to use your own resources, which is the second category of mods I am saying are quite unlikely for 7D2D. If TFP can partner with MS and Sony to create a secure environment, then limited mods would happen. That is the second category, which I don't believe will happen as it is too much work and effort, and certainly a lot of maintenance for years to come to pre check mods. However, it could if TFP, MS and Sony worked on it. Highly unlikely, but it could. The last category is the one we don't believe will ever be on console. For now there is zero chance of it happening.

[@Bluemerlehikes]

@@SnowBee 7 days to die could do the same it would just cost them more what you have said didn't make what I said any less true

[@Bluemerlehikes]

@Oldgamerdude so in other words I'm right every other game could have mods it would just cost them

[@yeaf53dfuhv]

They dont care about license for mods , ever seen starfields mod page ? Legit nothing but starwars an there all still up lol

[@SnowBee]

Well, it is Microsoft themselves that own Starfield through their ownership of Bethesda. So that does make things a bit easier. Does Starfield have console mods? I thought they were only for PC, which is a point of the video, console mods are more difficult to pass than PC mods. I am unsure why PC has it easier and is often just left to do its own thing.

[@xanapy]

They need to modernize the game, it still feels like a ps2 game.

[@SnowBee]

I quite think the graphics/aesthetics and overall environment are pretty good, but certainly I agree it could look a lot better and more of a 2024 game.

[@caiden-_-]

I may return to 7 days to die soon, i still have to finish my farm by getting a ton of fertilizer and rotten flesh and turds and stuff

[@SnowBee]

I am sure your farm is shouting to you :)

[@caiden-_-]

@@SnowBee lol probably, I would have gotten it all done if I didn't experience the base reset glitch, which caused me to lose like 200 fertilizer, which I can not get back since once dug up it doesn't regenerate

[@caiden-_-]

​@@SnowBeeI quit 7 days to die, lol. I almost finished my farm, and then some griefer completely blew up my base for no reason. So yeah, I can't get that back ever again

[@bear1245]

7 days to dire

[@deedaghost1947]

That can give mods ark asa has mods all I want is darkness fall

[@SnowBee]

That would be nice, but the Ark mods still have limitations. Allowing C# code to function on a console is a whole different ball game, unfortunately.

[@Fantusdrake]

Yes never gonna happen N as you said in video Join the Master race 😂

[@SnowBee]

It is a pity, it would certainly boost the mod creators if you had a huge overhaul following from consoles. But yeah... not much to do about it. Buy a pc is the only option. :)

[@Fantusdrake]

@@SnowBee yes too much legal n, expense for mod creators

[@monsterhunter2534]

that's why pc is master race everything is open even console games can be emulated and played (granted its piracy)but still

[@SnowBee]

Yip, I do understand why you can love a console, but the versatility and power behind a pc is just not comparable.

[@kelwin2180]

first! 😁

[@SnowBee]

Indeed you are :)

[@grumpynomad3551]

I thought the only reason they sold the same game to console players was for money like they did last time? Huh 🤔

[@SnowBee]

Well, if they have mods, more people would play, TFP will get more money. Win win :)

[@KingDirtyThunderblade-hi4yf]

Truth be told, no one gives a shit about console players. Mods are PC only, PC master race only

[@SnowBee]

Well, as much as I do agree the pc is great for mods and I am certainly glad I went pc many years ago, the more players online and enjoying the game would be beneficial to pc players and keep the game alive for very long. :) That, and numerous console players keep asking me about overhaul mods coming to console :)