[UPDATE]

We’ve learned the creator of Art of the Catch – Animated Fishing has actually decided to not charge users for their mod, as certain animations in the game were actually from another modder. Coming from this, any purchases for the mod will be refunded.

[ORIGINAL STORY]

Steam has opened up the floodgates toward allowing users to sell mods they’ve created, in the Steam marketplace.

To be clear, this is currently only available for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, where you can download Art of the Catch – Animated Fishing, for $1.99. The mod was previously available for free, but now the creator is charging players for it. This is different from player-created modifications via Steam Workshop like in Team Fortress 2 or DOTA 2, whereas now a modder can make their own store listing and pricing structure.

Valve explained the new process:

“Steam now offers new functionality in the Steam Workshop, allowing community mod makers the opportunity to earn money doing what they love. With this update, community-made Workshop content such as mods, items, or maps can now be made available for sale directly via the Steam Workshop for titles that have enabled this feature.

Workshop is now putting mod authors in business via a new streamlined process for listing, selling and managing their creations. Creators contributing to the Steam Workshop have the choice of listing their new creations for sale at a price of their choosing, or to continue to make their work available to players for free. Mods purchased from the Steam Workshop are available immediately for play.”

In case you’re concerned that your purchasing a mod turns sour (because it’s terrible or not worth it), Valve is offering a 24-hour refund policy. If the mod is broken or doesn’t work as it was promised, you can get your money back, although it will go to your Steam wallet.

Any profits that creators earn from the sales of their mods will have a portion towards Valve, 25% to be exact. There’s also a $100 barrier that has to be broken for mod creators to actually get their first payout.

What do you guys think about this new precedence? Is this a bold new development, or a management nightmare for Valve?