Malleable Games - A Literature Review on Communities of Game Modders

Abstract

The creations of people who modify games (game "modders") have had an significant impact on economics of game development. Being part of a creative participatory culture, their mods serve as a source of inspiration that has even steered the direction of game development in the past. This paper presents the findings of a comprehensive literature review on game modding. We structure our findings according to the three perspectives from which game modding has been analyzed: an outside perspective, a meta-level, and an inside perspective. We identify aspects that have received little academic attention so far, but warrant future research. Our analysis of the body of literature shows that only few publications focus more closely on community aspects such as differences among individual game modding communities, dynamics and collaboration within modder communities. We argue that gaining a deeper understanding of these aspects is essential in order to be able to capitalize from the huge creative potential that lies within game modding communities. CCS CONCEPTS • Human-centered computing → HCI design and evaluation methods; Empirical studies in HCI; Ethnographic studies; • Software and its engineering → Open source model; • Applied computing → Collaborative learning;

Heroes and Hooligans: The Heterogeneity of Video Game Modders

“…An additional indirect relationship was found as modifications drive 'word-of-mouth' publicity measured as online streaming of gameplay, also increasing game consumption (Poretski et al, 2019). Monitoring the popularity of modifications also provides vendors with extremely valuable insights into what their customers want, and how best to develop and market future releases, and modifications themselves lengthen the shelf life of the game (Arakji & Lang, 2007;Thiel & Lyle, 2019). Vendor acknowledgement of these benefits is demonstrated through the provision of modding tools (Lee et al, 2020).…”

“…gaming industry) and 'insiders' (i.e. modders; Thiel & Lyle, 2019). For example, opinions of modding from 'outsiders' focus on legal issues of ownership, financial benefit to gaming industries and capitalising on modifications for educational and economic purposes.…”

“…For example, opinions of modding from 'outsiders' focus on legal issues of ownership, financial benefit to gaming industries and capitalising on modifications for educational and economic purposes. Literature exploring the 'insider' perspective from modders themselves is a much less developed area (but see Thiel & Lyle, 2019) and focuses on motivations of modders and the social and collaborative aspects of online modding communities. Whereas 'outsiders' examine its economic value, to insiders, it is viewed as a non-profit activity aimed at enjoyment, creative expression and a sense of community and cooperation, although not entirely without opportunity for personal gain through social status or potential career development (Poor, 2014;Postigo, 2007;Sotamaa, 2010;Thiel & Lyle, 2019).…”

“…Literature exploring the 'insider' perspective from modders themselves is a much less developed area (but see Thiel & Lyle, 2019) and focuses on motivations of modders and the social and collaborative aspects of online modding communities. Whereas 'outsiders' examine its economic value, to insiders, it is viewed as a non-profit activity aimed at enjoyment, creative expression and a sense of community and cooperation, although not entirely without opportunity for personal gain through social status or potential career development (Poor, 2014;Postigo, 2007;Sotamaa, 2010;Thiel & Lyle, 2019). With such strong emphasis on online communities within the limited literature on modding motivation from the perspectives of modders themselves and the pathway proposed (by 'outsiders') from modding forums to cybercrime, further exploration of this topic is warranted and much needed.…”

“…However, modding also presents opportunities to increase revenue in an already lucrative industry (e.g. Postigo, 2007;Thiel & Lyle, 2019).…”