*edit. I should note a good modding api and/or editor is great for any game.
I started programming though making mods for battle for middle earth 2.
However, we must make sure to keep in mind the ways in which capitalists will exploit the goodwill of developers and free software wherever it may be.
I've literally been doing skyrim binges yearly since the game came out, on PS3, PC and then PS4. Not once have I installed the community patch. Have never felt like the game was overly buggy.