Use your coding and game dev skills to create mods, plugins, tools, and small games players actually want — and get paid by servers, creators, and players who need your work.
Use this module as your roadmap: choose your tech stack and game, build real projects, ship them, get paid, and slowly transform your dev skills into an online income machine.
In this module, "mods/dev" covers ways you can use game-focused programming/dev skills to make money
Minecraft server plugins, modded content, Roblox scripts, FiveM scripts, etc. (depending on game and ToS)
Quality-of-life tools, automation scripts, simple UI systems for creators
Roblox games, small indie games, prototypes
Rank systems, mini-games, shops, GUIs for servers and dev teams
User-generated game platforms and modding communities are huge. Players want new ways to play; server owners and creators want unique features; and few people are willing to dig deeper into scripting and code.
Turns Ideas Into Features
Transform concepts into working game systems
Keeps Servers Fresh
Create new mini-games and systems
Builds Useful Tools
Develop plugins that save people time
Supports Creators
Help others bring their visions to life
Need ranks, shops, cosmetics, mini-games, and custom systems
Need scripted interactions, triggers, and mechanics
Want quality mods that improve gameplay (within the rules)
Need tools or scripts to support their content
Build specific features for servers or creators
Monthly support for servers or teams
Via allowed marketplaces and platforms
Work on games/experiences that make money
Follow these stages to turn your dev skills into consistent income
Pick one main dev track to focus on first:
"Where am I most excited to build things people will actually use?"
Go through intro tutorials and docs
For your target platform
Build tiny features, not full games
Focus on getting something working, not perfect
Take your best 3–5 features/small systems and polish them
Pick one to start (you can stack them later):
Server owners or creators pay you to build custom systems
Build generally useful tools and sell on marketplaces (if permitted)
Handle features and fixes for an existing project
For most beginners, commissions are the fastest way to earn your first money and feedback
Custom Jobs
Ongoing Retainers
Marketplace Sales
Revenue Shares
Always respect the game's ToS; avoid cheats and exploit development
VS Code, IntelliJ, etc.
Git + GitHub or similar (even just for yourself)
Notion, Trello, simple to-do list
Discord/Slack/email for updates
Local test servers or test environments
For demo videos and showcasing features
Capture your work to build a portfolio
You don't need every tool on day one. Start with the basics and add as needed.
Even if you're solo, use Git. It saves you when things break.
Short videos showing your features in action are worth 1000 words.
Save yourself time, money, and headaches by avoiding these common pitfalls
Saying "I can build anything" and then getting stuck on complex systems
Only accept work you're confident you can handle; underpromise and over-deliver
Client keeps asking for "one more feature" for free
Agree on a clear feature list, timeline, and revision rules before you start
Days of coding for a tiny payout
Start small, but increase rates fast as you understand your effort and demand
Rushed code that's hard to update or debug
Keep things organized, comment where needed, and avoid huge "god files"
Writing code that causes lag or crashes
Learn basic optimization patterns; test under realistic conditions
Creating cheats, exploits, or infringing content
Stick to legit, ToS-compliant systems and mods that enhance gameplay, not ruin it
Treat every client project like it's building your reputation — because it is. Good work leads to referrals, testimonials, and repeat clients. Bad work kills your reputation fast.
Use this as a 7-day start plan to launch your mods/dev income journey
Pick your main development track (e.g., Minecraft plugins in Java, Roblox Lua, etc.)
Ask yourself: "Where am I most excited to build things people will use?"
Make a list of 5–10 feature ideas that servers or players might want
Pick 2–3 small features and build them as practice projects
Clean up your features and create a portfolio page
Join 2–3 high-quality dev communities for your platform
Create your offer blurb and respond to "looking for dev" posts
If someone hires you, treat it like a real client project
Review your completed features and improvements
Track which communities got the most engagement
Measure responses and adjust your approach
Quick answers to common questions about mods & game dev work
Visual concepts to help illustrate your dev work and portfolio
Concept: Code window on the left, game preview on the right, connected by arrows showing how code transforms into gameplay.
AI Prompt:
"Split-screen illustration showing a code editor on the left and a game scene on the right, arrows connecting them to represent game development, clean modern style, 16:9 ratio"
Alt text: "Code editor connected to a game scene, representing writing code that changes the game."
Concept: Cards representing different systems you can build: shop GUI, mini-game, rank system, teleport hub.
AI Prompt:
"Set of card-style icons showing a shop GUI, mini-game arena, rank system, and teleport hub, stylized game UI illustration, 4:3 ratio"
Alt text: "Card icons showing different game systems a dev might build, like shops and mini-games."
Concept: A chat between a server owner and dev showing the request/response flow — "Can you build X system?" → "Here's a demo."
AI Prompt:
"Mock chat interface where a server owner asks for a custom system and a developer replies with a demo screenshot, minimal modern illustration, 16:9 ratio"
ServerOwner123
Can you build a custom parkour system with checkpoints?
You (Dev)
Absolutely! Here's a quick demo of a similar system I built 🎮
Alt text: "Chat-style illustration of a server owner requesting a custom game system and the developer sending a preview."
Use these visual concepts when creating your portfolio. Screen recordings, GIFs, and before/after comparisons are powerful ways to show what your code actually does. Don't just show code — show the result in action!
Mods, plugins, and game dev work let you turn your coding and problem-solving skills into something people can actually play — and pay for. You're not just writing code; you're directly shaping how players experience their worlds.
Pick your game/engine and build real features that matter
Showcase your best systems with demos and clear descriptions
Land your first clients and deliver quality work consistently
Improve your code quality and delivery speed over time
Increase prices as your portfolio and reputation grow
Combine commissions, sales, and retainers for steady income
Combined with your other methods (assets, branding, social media, etc.), mods/dev work can become a powerful piece of your journey to $10K and beyond. Your coding skills are valuable across multiple income streams — use them strategically.
Use this module as your complete guide. Pick your platform, build your first features, create your portfolio, and start landing paid projects. Your dev journey to $10K+ starts with the first line of code.
An ambitious stretch goal — not a guarantee
This 90-day plan is about building real dev skill, a portfolio, and paying work. Most people won't hit $10K/month right away — the goal is to build a foundation that can add up to $10K+ over time.
Learn, Build, and Ship Small Features
Goal: Pick your platform, build working features, and create a dev portfolio
Get Real Clients & Improve Your Systems
Goal: Complete paid projects, refine your dev workflow, and increase your value
By End of Month 2:
Specialization, Packages & $10K+ Path
Goal: Turn your dev hustle into a more focused, scalable, and better-paying business
Ask Yourself:
You might not hit $10K right away doing dev work, and that's okay. What matters is that in 90 days, you can go from "I know a bit of code" to "I have a portfolio, I've shipped real features for real clients, and I know how to find more work."
That's the foundation you build bigger numbers on.