Nexuiz mode vs. Havoc mode

[MirceaKitsune]

There is something I am unclear about: Are mods just different sets of default system cvars or do they also include code changes? I mean, is the only difference between Nexuiz mode and Havoc mode that each loads a different preset of cvars, or are there also changes in the game code for each apart from that?

If its only cvars, mods could work by each mod being be a .cfg file that anyone can put in data (probably in a folder called mods or something). One could then make a mod by copying defaultNexuiz.cfg and renaming it, modify any cvars in it as they wish and then the game would display all such .cfgs in a list (the mods menu).

[esteel]

Renaming files is just bad.

I'd say what a mod is DEPENDS.. basicly every change not in the official Nexuiz can be considered a mod(ification). A gamemode is a basic ruleset that defines how the 'current' game works. That being DM, TDM, ONS, CTF.. or mods that bring new gamemodes like nexball.
Havoc is also a mod (but a official one) because its included with Nexuiz. Havoc is a physics/gun mod but does not change a single gamemode. And its also 'simple' because it just changes existing settings. However SO much that making it a mutator would be hard or almost impossible to do right/without creating problems.

Well using an other directory is the cleanest way.. because the client also saves screenshots, demos and such under this different directory. Also using an other dir also makes sure that a modification does not change the 'default settings' for Nexuiz. Not even by chance. There are/were even some badly done maps (!) that changed some settings.. thats just bad.