Bethesda Creations vs mod.io

Bethesda Creations is a community for discovering, downloading, and playing content made for Fallout 4, Skyrim, and Starfield. Its catalog includes creations from professional developers and enthusiasts. Some content is free; other creations require Creation Credits purchased through a game’s in-game menu. Players browse and download through supported games, while Skyrim creations can also be added from the website. Purchased creations may appear on multiple platforms when the same Bethesda.net account is linked, but credits remain on the platform where bought and are not transferable. Credits work across the three games on that same Steam or Xbox platform. Creators accepted into the Verified Creator Program can sell creations and earn royalties. Bethesda requires applicants to provide a portfolio, linked accounts, multifactor authentication, and the latest Creation Kit. Availability varies by region, title, and platform.

mod.io is middleware for game studios adding mods and other user-generated content to games. Its features include cross-platform support, in-game UI, multiplayer support, marketplace, collections, metrics, dependencies, moderation, custom SSO, Cloud Cooking, an embedded hub, and a Discord bot. Studios can integrate with Unreal Engine or Unity plugins, a C++ SDK for custom builds, or a REST API. The SDK lists Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android support; documentation also lists PC storefronts, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Meta Quest as integration targets. Moderation options include automated scanning, rules-based moderation, optional approval, and user reporting. Uploaded files receive virus and malware checks, with validation checks for text and files. Image moderation does not currently use AI or machine learning to detect inappropriate content, though third-party tools can be connected through webhooks. Studios can enable premium UGC sales in virtual currency or USD and set creator revenue shares. Pricing is on request. Marketplace fees listed are $0.0012 per virtual currency and 5% plus $0.20 per transaction from the web payment partner.