Modding can be more than a way to customize favorite games. According to Pawel Sasko, associate game director on the upcoming Cyberpunk sequel, it can also provide aspiring developers with practical experience that helps them enter the video game industry.
During a CD Projekt RED RedStreams discussion about modding, Sasko highlighted how players who create their own content can develop an understanding of game systems and development processes. He described modding as a potential starting point for people who want to turn their passion for games into a professional career.
“For me, this is a foot-in-the-door technique, and a gateway into game dev,” Sasko said. He explained that modders can learn how games are made by experimenting with existing systems and building their own additions.
HOW MODDING HELPS PLAYERS LEARN GAME DEVELOPMENT
Sasko said many modders begin as fans who want to customize the games they enjoy. That hands-on process can help them understand how existing features work and how new content can be created. He also revealed that CD Projekt RED has recruited extensively from this community, saying that roughly half of its quest team consists of former modders.
The studio also provides official tools for Cyberpunk 2077 mod creators. Its REDmod support page offers tools and documentation for creating custom content, including sounds, animations, scripts, and other modifications. These resources give interested players a practical way to begin experimenting with game development.
The game’s modding community has produced a wide variety of creations, from visual changes and customization options to new gameplay experiences. CD Projekt RED’s willingness to recruit modders highlights how community projects can help people develop relevant skills before entering the industry professionally.
With Cyberpunk 2 in development, Sasko’s comments offer aspiring creators a potential starting point: learn the tools, experiment with existing systems, and build projects that demonstrate what you can do. Modding does not guarantee a job, but it can provide practical experience and a portfolio of work to show prospective employers.
