15 Popular Video Games You Didn’t Know Started As Mods

The Forgotten City (2021)

The Forgotten City started out as an ambitious Skyrim mod before evolving into a full-fledged standalone game. What began as a narrative-heavy mystery set within Bethesda’s world grew into a time-loop-driven thriller rich in storytelling, puzzles, and moral choices. The game's unique Roman-inspired setting and philosophical undertones helped it stand out, earning critical acclaim and even a National Writers' Guild award. This transformation from a mod into a commercial release is a testament to the passion and skill of solo developer Nick Pearce and his team. The full release maintained the core themes while building an entirely new world from the ground up, allowing it to reach a broader audience. If you’re a fan of thought-provoking games with meaningful consequences, The Forgotten City is a must-play. | © Modern Storyteller

DayZ (2018)

Originally developed as a mod for ARMA 2, DayZ redefined the survival genre and ignited the popularity of open-world zombie survival games. The mod gained rapid traction for its tense, player-driven experiences, where survival wasn’t just about battling the undead, but also dealing with unpredictable human interactions. Bohemia Interactive took notice and brought mod creator Dean Hall onboard to transform DayZ into a standalone game. While its early access period was lengthy, the final release in 2018 captured the essence of the original mod with improved mechanics and visuals. DayZ helped inspire a wave of survival games and battle royale titles that followed. Its gritty realism, permadeath mechanics, and emergent storytelling made it a genre-defining title. | © Bohemia Interactive

PUBG: Battlegrounds (2017)

PUBG: Battlegrounds – formerly known as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds – traces its roots back to mods created for ARMA 2 and ARMA 3, specifically the Battle Royale mod by Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene. Drawing inspiration from the film Battle Royale, Greene’s mod introduced last-man-standing gameplay to the tactical shooter engine. Its immense popularity led to the standalone release of PUBG in 2017, which kicked off the global battle royale craze. The game set the foundation for hits like Fortnite and Apex Legends, thanks to its intense survival-based combat and massive player count. PUBG became a cultural phenomenon, breaking Steam records and establishing the blueprint for the genre. It remains one of the most influential multiplayer shooters of the decade. | © PUBG Corporation / Krafton

Heroes of the Storm (2015)

Blizzard’s Heroes of the Storm may seem like just another MOBA, but its DNA goes back to a mod for Warcraft III called Defense of the Ancients: Allstars (DotA). Blizzard didn’t create DotA – that was the community – but it did recognize the mod’s popularity and potential. Heroes of the Storm reimagines the MOBA formula with simplified mechanics, team-focused gameplay, and a crossover roster featuring characters from multiple Blizzard franchises. While it didn’t dethrone other giants like League of Legends or Dota 2, it carved out a loyal player base and stood out for its polished presentation and accessible design. Its development is a direct result of Blizzard’s long-standing tradition of nurturing mod communities. | © Blizzard Entertainment

Insurgency (2014)

Before becoming a standalone tactical shooter, Insurgency began as a total conversion mod for Half-Life 2. The mod, known as Insurgency: Modern Infantry Combat, was praised for its realism, grounded gameplay, and team-oriented combat. It drew in players who preferred more serious, military-style gameplay over arcade shooters. New World Interactive took this momentum and developed the standalone version, releasing Insurgency in 2014. It featured improved graphics, deeper mechanics, and multiplayer modes that emphasized communication and strategy. The game's success led to the release of Insurgency: Sandstorm in 2018. Insurgency proved that a mod can evolve into a successful franchise by focusing on authenticity and community feedback. | © New World Interactive

Cry of Fear (2013)

Cry of Fear began as a total conversion mod for Half-Life before becoming a standalone psychological horror game. Developed by Team Psykskallar, the game delivered a haunting, surreal experience that blended survival horror, mental illness themes, and atmospheric storytelling. Its gritty visuals, disturbing sound design, and eerie environments earned praise from horror fans who were craving something darker and more experimental. Despite its indie roots, Cry of Fear features voice acting, multiple endings, and cooperative multiplayer – rare for a free title. What started as a niche mod evolved into one of the most chilling horror experiences you can play today. It remains a cult favorite among fans of mod-based horror games. | © Team Psykskallar

Dota 2 (2013)

Dota 2 is one of the most successful and influential games in the MOBA genre, but its origins lie in a humble Warcraft III mod called Defense of the Ancients (DotA). What started as a community project soon became a phenomenon, leading Valve to hire the mod’s lead developer, IceFrog, and build a full standalone sequel. Dota 2 officially launched in 2013 and quickly gained a massive global player base, thanks to its deep strategy, high skill ceiling, and competitive esports scene. Today, it's home to The International, one of the most lucrative tournaments in esports history. Dota 2 showcases how a mod can evolve into a billion-dollar franchise. | © Valve Corporation

The Stanley Parable (2013)

The Stanley Parable originated as a clever and subversive mod for Half-Life 2 that challenged traditional narrative structures in games. Created by Davey Wreden, the mod quickly went viral due to its quirky humor, existential themes, and voice-over-driven storytelling. In 2013, it was reimagined as a standalone game with improved visuals, expanded content, and professional voice acting, including the unforgettable narrator played by Kevan Brighting. The game satirizes player choice, free will, and video game tropes in a way that’s both hilarious and thought-provoking. The Stanley Parable helped usher in a wave of experimental narrative games and is now considered a modern classic. | © Galactic Cafe

Chivalry: Medieval Warfare (2012)

Before it became a brutal and fast-paced medieval combat game, Chivalry: Medieval Warfare began life as a mod called Age of Chivalry for Half-Life 2. The mod was praised for its melee-focused gameplay, which emphasized timing, positioning, and realistic weapon handling. Developer Torn Banner Studios expanded on that foundation to create a standalone title that launched in 2012. The game delivered large-scale battles, castle sieges, and visceral swordplay, offering something entirely different from the typical shooter. Its success laid the groundwork for the sequel, Chivalry 2, and inspired a new wave of melee combat games. It’s a prime example of how mods can lead to genre-defining releases. | © Torn Banner Studios

Dear Esther (2012)

Dear Esther began as a narrative experiment and mod for Half-Life 2 that helped define the "walking simulator" genre. Created by The Chinese Room, the mod focused entirely on exploration and storytelling, with no combat or traditional gameplay mechanics. Its poetic narration, ambient soundtrack, and haunting environments created an emotional and introspective experience unlike anything players had seen. The standalone release in 2012 brought updated visuals and broader acclaim, pushing the boundaries of what games could be as a storytelling medium. Dear Esther was instrumental in legitimizing narrative-focused games and paved the way for titles like Gone Home and Firewatch. | © The Chinese Room

Killing Floor (2009)

Killing Floor originally began as a mod for Unreal Tournament 2004, offering players a gritty, cooperative survival horror experience. The game focused on waves of grotesque zombie-like enemies called "specimens" and required tight teamwork and resource management. Its overwhelming popularity as a mod led Tripwire Interactive to develop a standalone version, which launched in 2009. The game’s success was driven by its brutal difficulty, extensive weapon selection, and mod-friendly nature, which allowed the community to continue expanding it. Killing Floor paved the way for its even more polished sequel in 2016 and helped define the wave-based co-op shooter genre. | © Tripwire Interactive

Red Orchestra (2006)

Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 is a realistic World War II shooter that began life as a total conversion mod for Unreal Tournament 2003, and later for UT2004. It was one of the earliest examples of a mod transitioning into a commercial release through the Make Something Unreal contest, which it won. Released in 2006, the standalone version was praised for its dedication to realism, featuring bullet drop, manual reloading, and no crosshairs. The game's slower, more strategic gameplay attracted players looking for authenticity over arcade action. It also laid the groundwork for future titles like Rising Storm and Red Orchestra 2, solidifying its place in the history of tactical shooters. | © Tripwire Interactive

Natural Selection (2002)

Natural Selection started as a groundbreaking mod for Half-Life and released as a free download in 2002. It combined first-person shooting with real-time strategy elements, placing one player in the role of commander while others played as soldiers or alien creatures. The asymmetrical gameplay, tactical depth, and sci-fi setting made it one of the most innovative mods of its time. Its unique blend of genres helped it stand out in the crowded modding scene and attracted a dedicated fan base. The success of the original mod led to the creation of Natural Selection 2 in 2012, built from the ground up with a new engine. | © Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Counter-Strike (2000)

Arguably the most famous mod-turned-standalone game in history, Counter-Strike began as a fan-made project for Half-Life in 1999. The mod introduced team-based tactical gameplay between terrorists and counter-terrorists, revolutionizing online multiplayer shooters. Its success was so overwhelming that Valve hired the developers and officially released Counter-Strike as a standalone game in 2000. It laid the foundation for one of the most played and competitive franchises in gaming, spawning sequels like Counter-Strike: Source, CS:GO, and now CS2. With its tight mechanics and community-driven updates, Counter-Strike continues to dominate the esports scene over two decades later. | © Valve Corporation

Team Fortress (1999)

Team Fortress started as a class-based multiplayer mod for Quake in 1996 and was later ported to Half-Life as Team Fortress Classic, released in 1999. The game introduced the concept of team-based combat with specialized character roles, like Medics, Engineers, and Spies – paving the way for future class-based shooters. Its strategic gameplay and modding roots attracted a dedicated community that helped shape its evolution. Valve acquired the development team and eventually released the wildly popular Team Fortress 2 in 2007, known for its cartoonish visuals and fast-paced gameplay. Team Fortress is a landmark example of how community-driven mods can shape the future of competitive multiplayer games. | © Valve Corporation