This as-told-to essay is based on an interview with Fanny Deroubaix, a 38-year-old self-employed video game modder known online as Syboulette and based in France. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider verified the source’s income with documentation.
I didn’t even know my job was a possibility before I changed careers. Becoming a full-time modder who makes custom content, such as furniture and decor assets, for The Sims 4 was a happy mistake.
I used to be a freelance art director in commercial advertising. Because all my commercial shoots were canceled during the pandemic, I played a lot of video games.
One day, I decided to build a bakery in The Sims 4, which I had not played in a long time. I wanted a kitchen set in a different color than was available, so I thought if I searched for tutorials, I could recolor it myself.
I spent maybe a week recoloring the items, and I was so proud of myself that I posted them on The Sims Resources, a website unaffiliated with The Sims 4 that lets artists share custom content for free.
Since I posted it, the set has been downloaded more than 33,000 times. Now, I do this full-time.
I expanded from recoloring to creating original items
Because I had fun recoloring the set, I learned more about 3D modeling and texturing, and I began creating original items. After a couple of months, I opened a Patreon just to help me pay for the modding software, which costs about €80 a month. My subscriptions grew, and after six months, I was earning enough money to stop freelancing.
Even though it was less money at first, I was completely free. I didn’t have any clients, deadlines, or anyone to tell me what to do. I kept a few freelance jobs during the transition, but after a year or so, I was earning more than I did in my advertising job, so I thought, I’m never going back. I now make more than I did in advertising.
My work schedule
I’ve been doing this for four years now. Every month on my Patreon, I post a set, which includes 20 to 30 items inspired by a theme or room. All of my subscribers get early access to my sets.
I start by making a mood board and looking on Pinterest and Google for anything that inspires me. Once I’ve gathered references, I’ll pick a number of items to create.
I try to spread my work throughout the month. I can create one item in five to eight hours, so I usually make one per day. Then, I test every item in the game and take screenshots to show my subscribers.
How I make money as a modder
Not all games endorse monetized mods. The Sims 4 modders are not allowed to officially sell their creations, but The Sims allows modders to release content for free with monetized early access. This means people who subscribe to my Patreon get my items three weeks in advance, and then my custom content becomes free for everyone.
When I started, I only had Patreon and The Sims Resource, which pays featured artists. After a year, I created my own website with ads, which also created some income. Patreon is still my biggest source of income.
Occasionally, I’ll have an opportunity from an outside company, like the collaboration I did last year with The Sims for my official Creator Kit. The Sims also collaborated with CurseForge to create an official platform for custom content, and I earn income from that website as well.
The challenges and rewards of modding
The learning curve to modding was very steep in the beginning. I taught myself using online courses for design software like Blender and Adobe Substance 3D. Over time, I tried to modify more difficult items, but it required a lot of patience.
I also became a more public figure as a Sims 4 modder by sharing on social media and streaming on Twitch. Some players have negative opinions about my job, and some pirate my creations, but this comes with any creative career.
Still, it’s the perfect job because I don’t rely on anyone. Even though I have a suggestion channel on my Discord so fans can suggest ideas, I can do whatever I want. It’s full creative liberty.
I’ve always wanted to do something more creative than what I was doing in advertising. It’s so nice to have people playing with your creations and sending you screenshots, like “Look what I made with your set.”
My advice to aspiring modders
Just making a beautiful thing is not enough. Communication is very important. Be on every social media and try to reach content creators on YouTube and Twitch, because they’ll show your work to the players.
You should make what you like, not what you think people will want. Everyone’s trying to create stylish interiors, but sometimes we don’t want what we see everywhere on Pinterest.
Also, start small. Some new creators are very gifted but start with a €5 donation subscription. That assumes people trust you, but trust needs to be earned. When I started my Patreon, my subscription was €1, and I gradually raised the price to €5.
If you’ve never modded before, don’t create one of the most difficult items first, either. Maybe start with a table.
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