Modder's Interview: Kleidium
How long have you been modding and what was your first complete mod ?
I've been using mods for years. I only started making my own mods in 2022 beginning with the Morrowind May Modathon. My first mod was Time Consumer, which is a mod for Morrowind that makes time pass in-game when enchanting/repairing/making potions etc. It was the first time I'd written any code like that. I only managed to make it in time because I examined other MWSE mods to try and understand how they work. I needed to try my hand at programming before I decided to study it in college, so I figured that would be a good start.
How do you approach modding?
Typically, I just think of mods that would be fun to play/make sense. Then, I go about trying to write it and make it work. Sometimes it involves stuff I already know, sometimes not. For me, this is partially a hobby and partially a freelance programming practice. I typically try to make gameplay mechanics or immersion-focused mods using MWSE. I want to make some questing or companion mods to give myself a chance to write again, but I'm not very good at the CS yet.
What's your favourite thing about modding?
I like being able to fill in missing details or introduce a new mechanic/way to play games altogether. I like to add flavor text to any mod I make where it makes sense, really because I love just writing for the sake of it. I will quickly make an excuse to add more flavor text or dialogue to mods I work on. That's why I want to eventually make a companion or quest mod. I like a good story.
What's your favourite mod that you've made so far?
Companion Leveler. It's my obvious favorite because I spend so much time on it. I can't get enough of customizing party members. I also get to write a bunch of flavor text. It has a lot of moving parts and custom menus, and I feel it's my most important early project in terms of my studies. I learned a lot while working on it. I also like to think it helps companions feel more useful than ever!
Are you working on a mod these days?
I've decided to make a companion mod of some sort, but I haven't decided which route to take yet. I have two options: one that involves creature companions, or one that involves one specialized companion with an interesting story. I really like the idea of a companion with a branching storyline.
How much do you play Morrowind, not counting play testing?
I first played Morrowind when I was 12. Been playing it off and on for years now, and I just started a new playthrough. I'm 30. So yeah. I've played Morrowind quite a lot, easily thousands of hours. I even played it on the original Xbox when I couldn't play on PC.
How did you discover Morrowind?
An old friend of mine showed it to me on his older brother's PC. We don't even know each other anymore, but I will always remember that time.
What makes Morrowind special for you?
Morrowind has a unique story, in a unique setting. The lore is mostly well-written, provokes questions, and presents mysteries. It has a semi-retro charm that emanates nostalgia. It's complicated and fun to play because I like complicated things. I like the opportunities for roleplay. It helps me forget. It helps me remember, too.
What are the mods you simply cannot play without?
Ashfall and MUSE. I absolutely need the contextual music for how large this game is now. I have also spent hours handpicking music for different regions. Ashfall survival mechanics feel like they should have been a part of the vanilla game. I made my first mod, Time Consumer, because Ashfall gave me a reason to care about the passage of time in Morrowind.
Are there any underrated mods that you really enjoy?
UI Inspector honestly. I don't know how I'd make the menus I make in this game without it.
Do you play other games?
My list is really quite exhaustive. Shining Force, Megaman, Final Fantasy 1-14, Elder Scrolls, Bioshock, Stellaris, Baldur's Gate 3, Divinity Original Sin, WoW Classic, Dark Souls, Fallout, Disgaea, Danganronpa, Persona, Zelda, Resident Evil, Phoenix Wright, Marvel Rivals, and many more.
Do you mod other games?
I haven't made any mods for any other games yet. But I've used many mods in games like Project Zomboid and Oblivion. I want to get into console modding too. Maybe a handheld console like the GameBoy SP or a Nintendo 64.
And by the way, what's the story behind your user name? Anything else you'd like to share that we haven't talked about?
It was just a moniker I made up when I was a teenager. I don't really have much to say except that I wish I would have started modding and programming sooner, as many others may say.