# this mod is dead status: underway https://robert-what.itch.io/this-mod-is-dead a historical ode to dead videogame modifications and ir (perhaps innately) troubled development > failed projects don't dye they agonize mutate and compete for resources with good projects > ~ expert systems engineering professional ignacio chechile ![[this-mod-is-dead-community-gamedev-painting-editor-robert-what.jpg |300]] in which to imagine a lament for dead videogame modifications. the ones that didn't make it over the gamedev hump for any number of reasons - though mostly it seems too often to do with the self-convenient myths of videogame development generally within internet culture (whatever the hell that is.) basically the plain and frankly pathetic lie that game modding for anyone the grim un-gilded (/hyper)reality that the vast majority of mods are undead they're so already doa (even on paper) that they're shambling zombies. yet such mods often display an admirable level of amateur kitsch well worth preserving as for the comments section (either wailing for the loss or being bitingly critical) they can be priceless this mod is dead could also be a good idea for a youtube channel **suggested example reading **+** rescue the problem project: a complete guide to identifying preventing and recovering from project failure by todd c. williams (2011) **+** deff march: the complete software developer's guide to surviving "doomed" projects by edward yourdon (2nd edition) **+** software development failures: anatomy of abandoned projects by kweku ewusi-mensah (mit press) **+** the strange immortality of failed projects (from) engineering is broken: we are doing it the wrong way by ignacio chechile (springer nature 2026) https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-18169-5_23 // republic of bob