Modding: The Ups and Downs

Games are a dynamic, interactive medium, in which the entertainment experience is defined as much by those who play the games as those who make them. The level of involvement offered to players has prompted some of them to interact with their games in a way that blurs the line between these two groups. The modification, or "modding" of games turns the players of games into the makers of games, as computer-savvy fans alter the code of their favorite games to create an entirely new experience out of an already existing program. Some mods will simply change character or background art, some will alter the music, while still others will open up entirely new methods of gameplay. This level of player interaction with games opens somewhat of a mixed bag to the industry - free game content that anyone can make is a double-sided coin. The positive side is much more prevalent than the negative, but it is worthwhile to look at both sides of the modding scene.

On the negative side, there are some mods out there that could be viewed as undesirable for production companies - for example, a fan-made patch for The Sims can remove the blur from naked characters - something that producer EA is likely not too pleased with. Such a mod could stir up controversy that harms the Sims brand or discourages people from buying the game. In addition, some modders will release a full copy of the game for free with their mods, depriving the original creators of the income from their game.

On the positive side, however, there are some truly great mods as well. Some of the best ones, such as Counter Strike, have even been recognized and bought by the creators of the original games, and the modders hired for the company. In some cases, people will buy a copy of the game simply to play a mod for it, or a mod might add new content that rebuilds interest in the title. Modification allows for the creation of a new gameplay experience, and modders may be willing to explore new ideas that developers were afraid to try or had overlooked. This type of modding pushes the industry forward, presenting new concept ideas to developers and challenging them to continue improving their own games.

So, on the whole, while modding has its upsides and its downsides, the benefits of additional creativity seem to far outweigh the intellectual property concerns modding may also produce. It is largely a positive influence on the industry, and one that few other media can boast.

-Robby Schiele