JoeKonek

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8b6JH17RAENddo4f7bbaGYFJBzWLegs0HfS4xCoQ5JQtIB-NbAf200t0tMGEzUGzClCSb0PI66_9rSyt4FnNRA7pjiR2NPFa0WOxNg8PqZGcPQ_FIF4L9MHonUvTvZGCx37T-bFnKjo/s1920/Game+Modding.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8b6JH17RAENddo4f7bbaGYFJBzWLegs0HfS4xCoQ5JQtIB-NbAf200t0tMGEzUGzClCSb0PI66_9rSyt4FnNRA7pjiR2NPFa0WOxNg8PqZGcPQ_FIF4L9MHonUvTvZGCx37T-bFnKjo/w504-h282/Game+Modding.jpg" width="504" /></a></div> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Today we will unveil a unique world of game modding and its importance to
gamers and developers alike.</h3><o:p></o:p>

Is it really necessary for developers to open their game to modders? What
benefits are they getting if they open their game for modding? How do video
developers feel about mods? Well, to answer all that we need to understand how
modding works and its impact on the gaming industry.<o:p></o:p> What is modding anyway?<o:p></o:p>

It’s the art of modifying a game, creating a whole new experience for gamers
from an existing game engine. Modding a game means creating custom levels,
assets, characters, or even unique or stand-alone games within the game. Modder
is a term used for a person who mods a game.<o:p></o:p>

The rapid growth of modding over the years has built an entirely unique and
brilliant community across the internet. It allows talented individuals to
share their creations for the gaming world to enjoy.

The Importance of Modding<o:p></o:p>

If the car uses oil to maintain the moving parts of the engine lubricated
and help to avoid damage and keep your engine running smoothly. The same goes
with modding, it’s the oil of the gaming industry, and it helps the gaming
world alive and more interactive. The more you open your game to modders the
livelier the game will be.<o:p></o:p>

In today’s generation, it’s uncommon for games not to have some form of
modding. Almost every game released on the PC will allow you to mod, whether it
is art, programming, or design-based.<o:p></o:p>

While in previous years developers are still skeptical about modding, as
time passed, developers are starting to acknowledge the important role of
modding in the gaming industry. They have opened their doors to allow modding,
or even encourage modders for their games because in return it benefits them.
Not only does modding benefit the developers, but it opens up an entire library
of creations for players. These creations can help extend the lifespan of video
games, and can even bring in a larger player-base, thus benefiting both
parties.<o:p></o:p>

Multiple intellectual properties will cease to exist today if without the
help of modding. Multiple gaming studios were formed because of the success of
their mod(s) which were later developed into full-blown games. Thus serves as a
gateway for talented and creative individuals to come together and collaborate
and the results can be life-changing.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>In Business Perspectives…

In the early years of the video gaming industry, where modding is not so
popular, developers are still skeptical about it. They thought mods will
destroy their creation and can potentially lower their sales.<o:p></o:p>

The video game industry has grown into one of the biggest, most profitable
entertainment industries in the world with a global market that is expected to
surpass 138 billion USD by 2021, from an estimated volume of $67 billion in
2012. In a highly competitive industry, safeguarding the game concepts from
copycats is a tug of war, as well as tough targets set by publishers,
contribute to a trend of risk aversion and reliance on established game
franchises. Developers are under constant pressure to deliver the next
blockbuster game in a very competitive market. Stakes are high so originality
and innovation - instead of fueling competition in a diverse market - are
regarded by many developers as risky ventures. Some argue that innovation in
the industry is not really innovative at all anymore.<o:p></o:p>

It doesn’t come as a surprise to me, that modding has come to play a
considerably important role in the video gaming industry over the years.
Paragons such as Counterstrike, a user-created modification to the popular PC
game Half-Life, which has sold over 4.2 million units so far, expressively
underline the economic significance that game modifications can have. Gaming
companies tend to seek legal ownership of the content they create as users are
increasingly aware of the financial weight of their activities. So it may seem
as if only one side stands to profit.<o:p></o:p>

Stakeholders in the gaming industry are careful in retaining the rights to
any intellectual property they created; though modders are still acknowledged
and their activities highly encouraged by the developers. By having said, they
tend to create boundaries for the appropriate use of it. By means of various
contractual agreements, such as Terms of Service (ToS) agreements, End User
License Agreements (EULA’s), developers strive to govern the creative
activities of users in their virtual worlds.<o:p></o:p>

To sum it up, if you have read my previous article about “Destroying
vertical gardens in gaming through modding”  I have debunked the
negative impact of modding from a business perspective. Though, there is a
negative impact in some way, looking into a bigger picture – that impact is
just a tiny portion of a much greater outcome if you open your door to modding.
 Just like you sacrifice a penny, but you got 100 bucks in return. Modding
is an income multiplier, why? Because the game will have a longer lifetime, it
will attract more player-based users, meaning more income generators for the
game.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>What we learn so far…

Modding is a NECESSITY, period. It’s a must for every
developer to open their door or even encouraged modders to put spice into the
gaming arena. As the saying goes the only constant in this world is change.
When we accept change, we accept growth, criticism, and success.<o:p></o:p>

So if the developers want to continue to tap the creative potential of their
respective user communities and to sustain their interest in creating content,
chances are that they will need to be more inclusive in their governance
strategies. They need to give what is due for modders and stop these
aristocratic fundamentals in a form of various license agreements. There should
be a symbiotic relationship between the industry and the modders alike.<o:p></o:p>

Currently, we find ourselves in a very exciting position. Developers are now
inviting the gaming community to showcase their creativity and passion at a
grassroots level, as well as providing professional tools and development kits
to nurture promising talent. This will often result in collaboration with the
rising stars in the modding community and development studios, opening doors to
careers in the game industry.<o:p></o:p>

Why Game Modding A Necessity For The Gaming Industry?

Today we will unveil a unique world of game modding and its importance to gamers and developers alike. Is it really necessary for develope...

Why Game Modding A Necessity For The Gaming Industry?

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