HMR Blockhead

Modding is easier than you think. Since mods load after the base game, you can have them overwrite base game files such as the item spawning Lua file. Download an existing mod or two and take a look at the files. You will see the logic behind the design. You can open and edit lua files with Notepad (I prefer free Notepad+).
I'm a big dummy and I was able to make a couple mods. The tutorials are a big help. I think adding or removing items is the easiest kind of mod to make.
Running an MP server seems harder than modding to me!

That part is not hard, as there's a server setting that. The limitation is that I have no fucking clue how to actually make the mod.
 
Depending on what direction the devs end up taking with the skill books, I may have to learn it though. I love the game far too much to stop playing it entirely, over a problem that seems like it would be rather trivial to fix if I knew the first thing about modding
 
EDIT: Also, removing the books entirely is actually a sufficient, although not completely optimal, approach, since there's also a server setting with a global XP modifier. Would require some tinkering to find the right value to satisfy everyone on the server, but that bit is just a matter of trial and error

That's a well put argument actually. Made me at least rethink my stand on it. Just pointing out that Lemmy actually agrees with you and wants to take the multiplier books out... I'll also point out that the game is originally meant for SP and that's one of the main reasons I've wanted to support it for as long as I now have (I've never tried MP and likely never will). And imo for SP the multipliers work. At least for me. I do think they could really bump down the multiplier benefit and make them more rare (perhaps make faster to read?), but I wouldn't take them out entirely. Would you think that there's a compromise in that or do they just entirely spoil the whole game for you guys?

It's my personal belief that now we have professions / traits modifying the XP gain speeds, XP multiplying books should be a thing of the past and books should be exclusively recipe acquisition based. I know others in the team disagree and think they still have a place, but that's what I'd like to see. I think it'd make the books feel more special and unique, and have quite a significantly unique effect on the game, instead of just an XP boost. Also would get rid of the issue on MP of people having to stand still reading for 20 minutes.