Tennis Elbow 4, deep tennis sim, has opened up modding support for the game with mods altering gameplay, presentation, and core mechanics, powered and supplied via mod.io. Read on to learn more about this sporting passion project indie and the mods likely to emerge from its modding!


Tennis Elbow 4 is the newest game in Mana Games’ series of tennis sims (which make up the bulk of their catalogue), a sequel to the 2013 release. Having shipped back in 2021 in early access, its been the subject of many updates since aimed at expanding the game’s core feature-set and playing ball with the passionate fans that followed Mana Games from their earlier titles.

Image 7Tennis Elbow 4 is all about simulating the tight, tactical experience of a one-on-one match

“Created by and for tennis fans” is the tagline on the store page, and the game aims to replicate the tight back-and-forth of a fierce match with realistic simulation to make that tagline work. That’s in addition to the metagame of tournaments, stadium and court types, and the career mode which can see you following the rise (and fall) of a tennis star from the junior stages of their career to the peak in the pro scene.

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A variety of court types can affect the plays you can comfortably make

Tennis Elbow 2013, predecessor to this title, targeted modding support as a way for players to further enhance their experience; after all, players engaged with a dedicated tennis sim game are likely to be some of the most passionate fans of such a title around. Now, Tennis Elbow 4 has followed suit with mod.io support – simplifying mod installation for the game’s audience who had previously been sharing mods on the company’s forums instead.

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Plenty of career info can give you a top-down view of how you’re doing and what’s the next play

Offered on mod.io already are four mods each shooting in a different direction – enhanced player customization, a walk down memory lane with introducing 2013 content into the game, new animations for the player character, and a ‘hardcore’ mod that further intensifies the physics simulation and demands total engagement with the premise.

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Extensive player customization keeps the strategy ceiling very high for those willing to delve deep

Hardcore sport sim fans might be eating well with this one – perhaps almost as niche as they come, but rated Very Positive on Steam after a few hundred reviews, it seems this is the game for PC tennis aficionados. The update was introduced on April 25th, and with a modding scene already present, you can expect creators to be moving their mods to mod.io now the opportunity has arisen. The game’s 20% off right now at £19.99 GBP/$23.99 USD, and whilst still in early access, the version number indicates that may not be the case for long. Check it out on mod.io here!
Source: Indie DB