Hello SnowRunners!
This week we roll out the carpet for another talented modder (there are so many of you, this series of articles will probably go on for a while!).
It's been a delight for us to discover more about the people behind the mods, and we hope that you all agree.
Please welcome Remoh667!
How did you discover SnowRunner? What about it appealed to you?
For me, it's always been RPG and Simulation games. Mudrunner caught my eye cruising through the steam pages, on one of my many searches for a new game to throw myself into. Since that day in mid-2016, I have been hooked. I knew about Snowrunner as soon as it was announced and sat patiently waiting to get my hands on the editor. From what we were first told it was going to be everything we wanted to add to Mudrunner. Missions, customization, new cargo, I could go on, but I won't for everyone's sake. I have to thank the whole Snowrunner team too, you have given us all countless hours of fun and creation, I have a lot of respect for the work you all have done.
How did you get into gaming?
My first gaming experience was on an Atari 2600, yes the wooden panel one. I would get a new game every week from the flea market. Those were the days. In hindsight, I should have taken better care of that thing, I hear they're worth a few bucks now. I switched over to PC mostly for the variety it offered. The first game I bought on PC was "The Long Dark". I really love the adventures and emotions a good game can take you through. It's an incredible way to tell a story or give you a glimpse into a part of life you have never experienced. I will 100% be a gamer for the rest of my life.
Could you tell us a little bit about your background?
I'm a small-town Ontario kid at heart. I've always had a love for computers and gaming, technology in general. The first games I remember playing on PC were Test Drive and Leisure Suit Larry. They were installed when we got the PC. I'm just guessing here. If my parents actually knew what Leisure Suit Larry was, they would have deleted it pretty quickly. I consider myself a huge Science and Space nut who isn't afraid of a challenge, whether working with my hands or my head. This may explain my many years working as a Ski Lift Mechanic (very Canadian eh!) These days I'm doing a bit of writing, enjoying my quiet time (my map building of course!), and spending as much time as possible with my Wife, 3 Daughters, dog, hamster, budgie, and 3 runner ducks. We tend to stay busy.
What got you into modding?
I got into Mudrunner pretty early on. People had told me it was slow, boring, not much fun. I tried it for 5 mins and knew I would have a long relationship with the game. It didn't take long for me to start playing with mods. Which is when I realized the modders hadn't made a map I was into yet. I figured I had years of sim city and games like that under my belt, how hard can it be. Let's just say, we didn't have the resources and manuals that Snowrunner has. It was tough, but fun. And posting mod maps before we had the workshop, don't get me started. Since then I have continued making maps for Mudrunner and now Snowrunner (I must be up to 40 or 50 maps between the two games.)
I've certainly made sure to take a few breaks here and there. I will say, most "breaks" involved playing one of the many monster RPG games that take a month or 3 to finish. The versatility of Snowrunner is why I love modding. I have always thought of map building as similar to writing a book in many ways. The world is only half the battle in a great experience. Snowrunner has made the story just as important and I love the challenge. Without a doubt, I consider myself pretty lucky to have a hobby I can share with so many.
Have you modded for any other games?
I have done a little modding in BeamNG. It was way back when the game was new. Before I found Mudrunner. I never actually published anything though. Just made some personal maps. Other than that I've made a few simple models for Mudrunner maps. Truthfully, creating a Snowrunner region is such a great mix of world-building, storytelling, and balancing of difficulty, I don't think I could find another game that would be as much fun to mod.
What's your favourite SnowRunner mod?
I'm taking the cliche answer here… I like all of them. I have two reasons though, hear me out. First of all, most of us modders don't really "play" like the rest of the community. We play when we test, finish testing, then start the next project. I just don't get a chance to shake down mods the way I should. We choose to live like this, don't worry too much about us. We live off the likes and great comments.
Here's my second reason, I know the work that goes into every single mod out there. From tweak, to vehicle, to maps, they all have untold hours and passion put into them. We are lucky to have such a passionate community. I really enjoy all the work out there. I can't wait to see what comes out next.
What would be your dream change or addition to SnowRunner?
That's a tough one. From a creator’s standpoint, we have so much to work with already, not much comes to mind. Most of my ideas over the past year have been implemented in some form. I guess I would have to say I'm pretty happy with what we have now.
What’s your favorite thing about SnowRunner?
My absolute favorite part of Snowrunner, by far, is the diversity of the player base. I receive comments and messages from the whole age range and it always amazes me the variety of people that love this game. It's just so incredible to get a chance to add some fun into so many people's days.
What advice would you give to people who would like to get into modding?
The first 20 - 30 hours is so tough. You are literally lost, at least for a bit. The good news is we all started in the same spot, and we got through it. Watch the tutorials, read the manuals first. If you approach most modders with respect and a genuine passion to learn, we will help pretty much every time. Just do your homework first, that way you show up knowing the basics.
Lastly, start small. I know we all want to make the Peterman, or the Kodar Desert map. You will, just work your way there. It’s definitely worth the time and effort.
Working on any exciting mod at the moment?
Right now I'm working on integrating map 3 (Rutland) into the Highway Haulin Region. It's the fun part where I need to work on all three maps at once. This is a skill I am getting better at, but I still make my mistakes.
The 4th map for the Highway Haulin Region will be focused further up the mountain following the highway in Manchester. It's going to be my take on some Ice Road Trucking. I'm super excited to have the region offer players a driving experience that ranges across farm fields, mountains, deserts. and snow.
After I finally finish the Highway Haulin series I need to get back to work on the second Aftershock map, which is about 50% built at this point.
What’s your all-time favourite real life vehicle? What about SnowRunner vehicle?
My favorite vehicle has to be my Nissan Frontier. My last three pickups have been Frontiers. I've done a few 5000 km in 2 weeks marathon drives, the last one up to James Bay. Check out the James Bay Road, it's really in the middle of nowhere, on some seriously tough roads. We made it to the Arctic Ocean and back without a single problem.
My favorite Snowrunner vehicle is easily the Loadstar. It's such a great truck and you guys did a bang-up job on recreating it.
Wildcard Question: Favourite Ninja Turtle?
Donatello by a mile. I'm a pretty serious science nut. I figure it was him and Bill Nye that lit the fire for me.
Thank you so much Remoh667!
Check out and play Remoh667's mods on mod.io.
If you have questions you'd like to see added to these interviews, feel free to suggest them and we may add them! 🙂