Info about Garry's Mod:

Official game description:
Steam Workshop
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About the Game
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Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox. There aren't any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play.
You spawn objects and weld them together to create your own contraptions - whether that's a car, a rocket, a catapult or something that doesn't have a name yet - that's up to you. You can do it offline, or join the thousands of players who play online each day.
If you're not too great at construction - don't worry! You can place a variety of characters in silly positions. But if you want to do more, we have the means.
Beyond the Sandbox
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The Garry's Mod community is a tremendous source of content and has added hundreds of unique modes to the game. In Trouble In Terrorist Town, you can be a detective solving an online murder as criminals attempt to cover up their homicides. Be a ball, a plant, a chair, or anything else in Prop Hunt's elaborate, shape-shifting game of Hide & Seek. Elevator: Source is gaming's first elevator thrill ride, delivering players to airlocks and kitten dance parties.
We have one of the most vibrant Steam Community Workshops, with over 300'000 models, maps, and contraptions to download. It has everything from new tools to improve your builds, to guns that fire rainbow-tinged nuclear blasts from space. Take as much or as little as you need: it’s all free.
**Please note: Some multiplayer servers and game-modes might require you to own other games - such as Counter-Strike: Source and Team Fortress 2.**

Release date: Nov 29, 2006

Categories: Sandbox Creation, Mod Support, Custom Asset Support, Multiplayer, Physics Simulation, Community-driven Gameplay, User-Generated Content, Creative Mode

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 85; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The analysis of user reviews for the game reveals a mix of positive and negative feedback. A significant number of reviews highlight concerns about Pay-to-Win elements and aggressive microtransactions, including lootboxes and expensive battle passes. These issues are seen as highly detrimental to the user experience. Additionally, there are complaints about specific DLCs being perceived as scams. On the positive side, many reviews appreciate the game for not including Pay-to-Win mechanics or battle passes, which is viewed as a strong positive point. Overall, the presence of predatory monetization practices is a major concern for many players.
- Mods: score 10; verdict: Vanilla Ready; summary: The overall consensus from user feedback is that Garry's Mod is highly enjoyed for its modding capabilities. While some users express that mods are necessary for an enjoyable experience, these statements are often hyperbolic and do not indicate widespread issues with the base game. Isolated mentions of crashes related to specific mods do not significantly impact the overall playability of the game.
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Needs Technical Improvements; summary: The analysis reveals significant technical issues, particularly with alt-tabbing and long join times, which severely impact user experience. Additionally, users find the menus confusing and feel the need to look up tutorials on YouTube to learn basic functions, indicating a lack of in-game guidance. On a positive note, the community's creativity and extensive contributions are highlighted.
- Proton/Linux: score 75; verdict: Barely Playable; summary: The game has significant issues with its native Linux port, often requiring extensive tweaks and workarounds to run properly. Many users report crashes and stability problems, and the consensus is that using Proton is necessary for a better experience. Overall, the Linux compatibility and performance are poor, with users needing to resort to various fixes and patches.
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The Steam Deck experience is marred by several technical issues, including frequent crashes, compatibility problems, and UI scaling issues. Many users resort to using it as a launcher for other games, which deviates from its intended purpose. Despite these issues, some users report a positive experience, highlighting its potential when it works correctly.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The game generally performs well across a range of hardware, with most cohorts reporting positive experiences. However, some cohorts, particularly those with higher VRAM, note occasional crashes and performance issues that can often be mitigated with specific settings or mods.
  - Sample size: 1783 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 1402 reports): The game runs well even on lower-end hardware, with some reports of crashes and lag.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (positive, 106 reports): The game runs well with occasional crashes and lag, especially with many mods.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 104 reports): The game runs great but may have performance issues that can be fixed with specific mods or settings.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (positive, 45 reports): The game runs well but may crash with intensive mods or actions.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (mixed, 25 reports): Performance is mixed with reports of lag and crashes, especially on non-Windows systems.
  - Linux / Proton unknown VRAM (positive, 22 reports): The game runs well on Linux with some crashes reported when using many addons.
  - Caveats: 1783 of 105813 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $3.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows that users find the game highly valuable and worth the price, especially when on sale. Many users mention that the game offers a lot of content and replayability for a low price, often highlighting the value they get from the game even at the full price of $10. The frequent mentions of the game being worth it at $10 and even more so when on sale for around $3-$5 indicate a strong sentiment that the fair price range is between these values.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: 2.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct mentions of playtime hours for Garry's Mod. The first quote mentions over 100 hours of playtime, indicating a significant investment in the game. The second quote specifies a playtime of 3 days, which translates to 72 hours. The third quote mentions 250 hours of playtime, and the fourth quote suggests that single-player can get boring after 0.5 to 2 hours, implying that the main gameplay loop is relatively short without multiplayer engagement.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a steep learning curve and may not be immediately fun due to a lack of initial guidance, but it becomes enjoyable once players overcome the initial friction, especially when playing with friends or using mods.
  - Stance: Fun after initial friction
  - Anchor: Overcoming the initial learning curve
  - Time to anchor: 2h 0m
  - Friction: Lack of guidance for new players; Steep learning curve; Initial frustration and confusion
  - Unlock drivers: Playing with friends; Using mods; Exploring community-created content
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Using mods; Exploring community-created content; Having patience to learn the game mechanics
- Player Archetypes:
  - Creative Modder (buy)
    - Motivation: Creativity and experimentation
    - Playstyle: Creative building, modding, and experimenting with game mechanics.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Modder; Creator
    - Reference games: Minecraft; Roblox
  - Social Multiplayer (buy)
    - Motivation: Social interaction and shared experiences
    - Playstyle: Multiplayer-focused, enjoying game modes with friends and community interactions.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Multiplayer enthusiast; Community player
    - Reference games: Among Us; Minecraft
  - Critical Community Member (sale)
    - Motivation: Community improvement and fair play
    - Playstyle: Engages in discussions and critiques about the game's community and multiplayer aspects.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Community critic; Advocate for change
    - Reference games: Counter-Strike; Team Fortress 2
  - Roleplay Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Immersive roleplaying experiences
    - Playstyle: Engages in detailed and complex roleplay scenarios, often within structured game modes.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Roleplayer; Storyteller
    - Reference games: Second Life; World of Warcraft


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Encourages limitless creativity (weight 0.64): The game is highly praised for its ability to foster creativity and imagination. Players appreciate the freedom to experiment and create without strict rules, making it suitable for a wide range of creative endeavors.
- Rich community content (weight 0.46): The game supports a vast array of user-generated content, including community-created modes, maps, and mods. This enhances the game's replayability and keeps the community engaged.
- Enjoyable gameplay experiences (weight 0.39): Players find the gameplay experience to be fun and engaging, whether in single-player or multiplayer modes. The game offers unique and imaginative scenarios that contribute to its enjoyment.
- Variety of game modes (weight 0.38): The game offers a diverse range of gameplay modes, including multiplayer and single-player options. This variety caters to different playstyles and keeps the experience fresh.
- Memorable and nostalgic (weight 0.25): Many players have fond memories and nostalgic feelings associated with the game. It creates unique and memorable moments that resonate with players over time.
- Active and friendly community (weight 0.14): The game has an active and supportive community that contributes to its longevity. The community creates and shares content, enhancing the overall experience.
- Mods enhance gameplay (weight 0.13): Mods are a significant part of the game, extending its lifespan and adding new dimensions to the gameplay. Players enjoy the variety and creativity that mods bring.
- Suitable for all ages (weight 0.12): The game is versatile and suitable for players of all ages, from kids to adults. Its wide appeal makes it a great choice for families and groups with diverse interests.

Common complaints:
- Performance and server issues (weight 0.2): The game suffers from various performance issues, including frame drops, crashes, and server lag, which significantly impact the gameplay experience.
- Toxic servers and community (weight 0.16): Some online servers and the community can be toxic, leading to a negative gaming experience.
- Outdated and poor graphics (weight 0.13): Many players have noted that the game's graphics are outdated and poorly optimized, leading to a less visually appealing experience.
- Game can be boring (weight 0.12): The game can become boring, especially when playing alone or without mods.
- Complexity for beginners (weight 0.11): The game can be hard to understand and complex for beginners, making it less accessible to new players.
- Frequent mod errors and issues (weight 0.09): Players frequently encounter errors and issues with mods, including viruses and Lua errors, which can be frustrating and disruptive.
- Annoying bugs (weight 0.07): Bugs in the game can be annoying and sometimes ruin the gameplay experience.
- Racism and intolerance (weight 0.07): Some players have encountered racism and intolerance in multiplayer, which can be a significant issue.
- More enjoyable with friends (weight 0.05): The game is more enjoyable when playing with friends, as playing alone can be less engaging.
- Inconsistent server quality (weight 0.05): The quality of community mods and servers is inconsistent, leading to a varied gaming experience.
- Chaotic multiplayer (weight 0.05): Multiplayer can be chaotic and unregulated, which can be frustrating for some players.
- Dependence on community (weight 0.05): The game's enjoyment is heavily dependent on the community and its mood, which can be unpredictable.
- Complex and unstable addons (weight 0.05): Addons can be complex and unstable, leading to issues and a less enjoyable gaming experience.
- Missing content and textures (weight 0.05): Players have reported missing content and textures, which can detract from the overall gaming experience.
- Poor social interaction (weight 0.05): Social interactions in the game can be problematic, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
- Menu loading issues (weight 0.05): There are issues with the main menu not working or loading properly, which can be frustrating for players.
- Too many DarkRP servers (weight 0.05): There are too many DarkRP servers, and their quality is often not very good.
- Hardware limitations (weight 0.04): Players have complained about hardware limitations affecting the game's performance.
- Game is dead or imbalanced (weight 0.04): Some players feel that the game is dead or imbalanced, leading to a less enjoyable experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Sandbox gameplay with creative freedom (weight 0.25): The game offers sandbox gameplay with infinite possibilities, allowing for creative expression and diverse character and story integration without rigid rules or objectives.
- Multiplayer and single-player modes (weight 0.2): The game offers a variety of multiplayer options, including gameplay with friends and different multiplayer modes. It also includes a single-player mode for solo play.
- Community-driven content creation (weight 0.19): The game supports user-generated content through tools and platforms like Steam Workshop. Players can create and share their own game modes and content.
- Extensive mod support (weight 0.18): The game has strong modding capabilities, supporting a wide range of community-created game modes and mods. However, there can be issues with mod conflicts and management.
- Variety of multiplayer modes (weight 0.15): The game includes various multiplayer modes such as DarkRP, Trouble in Terrorist Town (TTT), Prop Hunt, and Murder, providing diverse gameplay experiences.
- Diverse maps and environments (weight 0.13): The game features a variety of maps and gameplay modes, offering different environments and roles for players to explore.
- Interactive and dynamic environments (weight 0.09): The game features interactive environments with physics-based interactions, allowing for creative building and experimentation with objects and characters.
- Innovative and imaginative gameplay (weight 0.09): The game offers unique and imaginative gameplay experiences with innovative mechanics and scenarios.
- Unique interactions and NPCs (weight 0.09): The game includes unique interactions with characters and NPCs, as well as physics-based interactions that enhance gameplay.
- Role-playing servers (weight 0.07): The game includes role-playing servers such as DarkRP, offering unique role-playing gameplay experiences.
- Creative building and scenarios (weight 0.07): Players can engage in creative building and experimentation, creating their own scenarios and gameplay experiences.
- Vehicle creation and driving (weight 0.07): Players can build and drive various vehicles, including combat vehicles, adding to the gameplay experience.
- Advanced creation with Wiremod (weight 0.07): Players can use Wiremod and other tools to create complex mechanisms and advanced structures, enhancing the building and creation aspects of the game.
- Spawn menu for entities and props (weight 0.06): The game features a spawn menu that allows players to select and spawn various entities and props.

Performance notes:
- Runs well on low-end PCs (weight 0.22): The game is noted for its ability to run smoothly on low-end and older hardware, making it accessible for users with weaker PCs.
- Optimization issues (weight 0.16): Players have noted various optimization issues, which affect the game's performance unless specific optimizations are applied.
- Performance issues with addons (weight 0.14): The game experiences performance issues, including lag and high system load, when too many addons are used, indicating poor optimization for addons.
- Texture issues (weight 0.06): There are reports of texture-related issues, including missing textures, which affect the visual quality of the game.
- Outdated graphics and engine (weight 0.05): The game shows its age technically, with outdated graphics and an ancient engine that has various bugs and performance issues.
- Performance issues on Linux (weight 0.04): The game has specific crashing issues and performance problems on Linux, making it less stable on this platform.
- Physics engine issues (weight 0.04): There are notable issues with the physics engine, leading to various bugs and performance problems.
- Crashes from explosives (weight 0.04): Using too many explosives in the game can lead to PC crashes, indicating a specific performance issue related to in-game actions.
- Performance issues with water mod (weight 0.02): The water mod specifically causes performance issues, affecting the gameplay experience for users who utilize this mod.
- Poor performance with Steam Link (weight 0.02): The game performs poorly when used with Steam Link, indicating compatibility issues with this service.
- Long loading screens (weight 0.02): Players have reported long loading screens, which can detract from the overall gaming experience.
- High requirements with shaders (weight 0.02): Using reshade and shaders addons significantly increases the game's system requirements, making it less accessible for users with lower-end hardware.
- Frame drops (weight 0.02): Players experience frame drops during gameplay, which can affect the smoothness and overall experience.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended game (weight 0.63): The game is frequently praised for its unique and immersive gameplay experience, creativity, and social aspects. It is recommended for a wide range of players seeking intense, fun, and nostalgic experiences.
- Recommended for creative players (weight 0.39): The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy creativity, modding, and sandbox gameplay. It offers creative freedom and diverse gameplay options.
- Great for multiplayer and social experiences (weight 0.39): The game is recommended for playing with friends and enjoying multiplayer chaos. It is praised for its active community and continuous updates.
- Recommended for fans of specific games (weight 0.27): The game is recommended for fans of Garry's Mod, Half-Life 2, and other similar games, suggesting it will appeal to those who enjoy these types of games.
- Worth the purchase (weight 0.14): Many reviews indicate that the game is worth the price and worth buying, especially during sales for better value.
- Suitable for various age groups (weight 0.09): The game is considered suitable for teens, adults, and even kids and grandma, making it a versatile choice for different age groups.
- Mixed recommendations based on preferences (weight 0.07): The game is recommended for those with old hardware or spare money, but not recommended for those who dislike modding. It is also suggested to try the game and explore mods.
- Technical considerations (weight 0.06): Some reviews suggest having a lot of memory for mods and recommend testing updates before release. They also provide links for reporting issues and joining beta branches.
- Niche recommendations (weight 0.05): Some reviews recommend the game for specific purposes such as reliving childhood memories, playing on specific servers, or avoiding certain in-game locations.
- Not recommended for beginners (weight 0.03): The game may not be suitable for beginners, indicating that it might have a learning curve or require some initial challenges to overcome.

Other player notes:
- Easy difficulty level (weight 0.03): The game is considered to have an easy difficulty level, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Regional details included (weight 0.03): The game includes regional details specific to Brazil.
- Old-fashioned game size (weight 0.03): Players noted that the game has an old-fashioned size, which might be smaller or larger than modern standards.
- Gifted copies mentioned (weight 0.03): Some players mentioned receiving the game as a gift, which could influence their reviews.

Emotions:
- Excitement (weight 0.36): Players are thrilled by the game's extensive modding capabilities, variety of weapons, and unique in-game events. The creative freedom, engaging large-scale events, and enjoyable multiplayer experiences contribute significantly to this excitement.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.26): Players feel nostalgic due to childhood memories associated with the game and its longevity. The game's long history, personal stories, and emotional connections to past experiences with friends and community interactions evoke a strong sense of nostalgia.
- Joy (weight 0.24): The game brings joy through fun multiplayer experiences, creative freedom, and engaging gameplay with friends. The variety of mods, humorous scenarios, and the ability to express thoughts and feelings through creative adventures enhance this joy.
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Players experience frustration due to harsh rules, inadequate players, and frequent mod errors. Performance issues, toxic community interactions, and confusing gameplay mechanics also contribute to this frustration.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players feel satisfied with the game's smooth performance, variety of activities, and strong modding community. The ability to customize, create scenes, and the overall positive gaming experience with mods and friends contribute to this satisfaction.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.12): Enjoyment comes from the game's good performance, variety of activities, and interactions with friends. The sandbox gameplay, complex mechanics, and extensive modding capabilities enhance the overall enjoyment.
- Amusement (weight 0.05): Players are amused by the humorous and engaging gameplay scenarios, chaotic multiplayer experiences, and creative gameplay with explosive elements. The imaginative and funny situations add to the amusement.
- Gratitude (weight 0.04): Players feel grateful for the game's impact on learning and creativity, as well as the friendships formed through the game. The positive experiences, memories, and the game's influence on personal growth contribute to this gratitude.
- Happiness (weight 0.03): Happiness is derived from laughing so hard it brings tears, seeing kids enjoy the game, and positive memories of playing with friends. The overall positive and enthusiastic tone of reviews enhances this happiness.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Players are enthusiastic about the game's creative freedom, variety of game modes, and positive multiplayer features. The unique possibilities and flexibility offered by the game fuel this enthusiasm.
- Happy (weight 0.03): Players are happy due to positive reviews, enjoyable multiplayer interactions, and finding a community. Personal stories and the ability to finally own the game and add mods contribute to this happiness.
- Positive (weight 0.03): Players have a positive outlook due to the game's unique features, variety of content, and enjoyable sandbox mechanics. The modding capabilities and long-term playability enhance this positivity.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's unique concept, active community, and endless creativity. Regular updates and the creative possibilities offered by the game contribute to this appreciation.
- Disappointment (weight 0.02): Disappointment arises from the game's discriminatory community, lack of active game modes, and negative multiplayer experiences. Poor graphics and the state of the game also contribute to this feeling.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game for its building and creating own city and map features. The Half Life NPCs and specific mods enhance this love for the game.
- Loneliness (weight 0.01): Loneliness is felt when friends do not play the game, leading to a solitary experience. The game is not recommended for those without friends to play with.
- Fear (weight 0.01): Fear is experienced when playing the game alone, especially due to the risk of DDoS attacks and IP tracking. The game can be scary in a solo setting.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game for its endless possibilities, unique appeal, and the creativity and freedom it offers. The active developers and community support enhance this admiration.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is derived from playing as unique characters with special powers, creating NPCs that interact in humorous ways, and playing with friends. The game's creative and humorous elements contribute to this fun.
- Humor (weight 0.01): Humor is found in the reviewer's comments about selling family, the outcome of using specific add-ons, and the game's quirks. The humorous and exaggerated descriptions of the game's features add to this humor.}