Mods, Rom Hacks, and Fan Games

The protagonist from the Elder Scrolls V dressed up as Link from Legend of Zelda.

Video game mods are user-made modifications of computer games. (Sotamaa, 1) Modders are people who make mods, modders must have knowledge of scripting languages, graphics programs, and software development kits.(Postigo, 302) Popular mods can significantly extend the life span of a game and particularly successful works of the modding community (such as Counterstrike or Team Fortress 2) can make the jump from mod all the way to a retail title.(Sotamaa) Mods can change different visual aspects of a game such as altering visual aesthetics, changing characters, changing up the interface, adding levels, adding clothes (or removing them if the player is so inclined), or even transforming the game into an entirely new world. (Soderman) Some mods can actually be fan creations of a different sort adding characters or weapons from different series together, for example there are a few mods for the Elder Scrolls series of games, such as the one pictured to the left, that alter the player character in such a way to make it appear as though the player is playing as Link from the Legend of Zelda series. It’s these changes in visuals that can change the meaning of the game, you're no longer the Dragonborn: hero of Skyrim, but Link the Hero of Time and Savior of Hyrule. Rom hacks are similar to mods in that while mods are applied to computer games rom hacks are applied to (usually older) console or portable games such as the Gameboy or NES. They’re called rom hacks because cartridge games store their data on rom files, thus altering the game requires hacking the rom file. Rom hacks can do most of the same things computer mods can do, though they often consist of new levels, stories, and visuals. Rom hacks are slightly rarer than mods for computer games due to the added difficulty in hacking a rom as opposed to a computer file, and that it’s more difficult to apply changes to rom file.

The final cultural activity that is created by fans that is unique to video games is the concept of the fan game. Fan games are different than mods in that they create an entirely new game set in the same world as an already established brand. The often use similar imagery to the game series they base themselves on. Fan authorship co-opts material from the existing games without requiring the game itself unlike mods. (Salter) The images from fan games can show what fans value or enjoy about the games they create tributes to and give insight to the thought process of a gamer. The fan game pictured to the right is called Mega Man 8-Bit Deathmatch. A fan game from the 2D side scroller Mega Man recreated in the style of a First Person Shooter, it features all the characters from the Mega Man battling apparently to the death. We can tell what sor to things this player valued in the Mega Man series from how he created this game. Notice how although the game is constructed in 3D all of the characters and the stage are given a very pixelated look so as to reference the original game as well as invoke a bit of nostalgia.

A screenshot from the demo of the Fangame Mega Man 8-Bit Deathmatch.

Some game messages can be rejected or opposed through fan created “art” mods (Soderman). Mods can be used to create new content that changes parts of the story, art, or gameplay in ways that are meant to negotiate or oppose the given meanings and messages in the games by changing or removing entirely those messages. Those mods can then be shared with other people who also oppose any particular meaning or message found in the game by using those mods to modify what they oppose out of the game.

To give a particularly morbid contemporary example: in the game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim almost all of the characters in the game can be killed if a player is so inclined or feels particularly murderous, except for children, who the game makes invincible. Bethesda, the company who publishes the Elder Scrolls series likely did this to avoid controversy. Some players found it was unrealistic to have invulnerable children wandering around the towns and villages so they modded away the children’s invincibility making them killable. So we can see that at least on the whole gamers will attempt to add realism to games even if that realism seems somewhat unsavory or would attract criticism if done by the developer.

A censored screenshot of a nude mod for the game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

A similar principal could be applied to so-called “nude mods” mods that allow the player to remove the clothes from the in game characters, usually something that’s impossible to do in most games, adding an element of voyeurism to the game. This comes from the players opposing the in the game hegemonic taboo against nudity, thus they edit in the nudity to show their rejection of social sexual mores. The image to the left is a censored preview image taken from a nude mod's information page (I know you can't really see it, but trust me that woman is totally naked in that picture) Notice how the player when making textures to fit the naked female form chose to give her features that corresponded with hegemonic ideals of beauty. Despite ostensibly being a dragon slaying warrior, she is relatively bereft of scars, and has little developed muscle.

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