Video Game Modding — Revitalising the industry
User-created content — mods — set PC video games apart from console video games. Mods are content created by the public that either alter, or completely convert an existing video game. Mods are solely creative improvements to games, and are free to use, since selling them would infringe copyright. They are not designed with commercial success in mind, allowing them to be innovative and experimental. I recently found this issue quite interesting playing DayZ, a mod for the game ARMA 2. DayZ highlights the value of mods to the video game industry — its release, while being free, increased the sales of the game it was made on, ARMA 2, by over 500%.
DayZ is a total conversion mod for ARMA 2, a realistic combat simulation game. ARMA 2 focuses on realism, with accurate bullet physics, expansive maps, and accurate player damage. DayZ utilised these features to create an accurate zombie apocalypse simulation game. The goal of the mod is simple: survive. Zombies are a threat, but the more worrying adversary in the game is other players. DayZ can only be played online, adding an in depth level of player interaction, where players can choose to assist one another, or simply shoot each other. When a player is killed, they lose all their equipment and start again, adding further tension when considering whether or not to trust another player. If a player kills another player they are able to ‘loot’ their corpse, which is the prime incentive for player killing. In an ideal world players work together to survive, but often players align together simply to kill others, or to get the upper hand on their ‘team mate’.
DayZ was the brainchild of Dean Hall, an ex-New Zealand soldier, turned games designer. He proposed his idea to a developer at Bohemia Interactive Studio, the producers of ARMA 2, where he worked. The developer dismissed the idea, saying it wasn’t commercially viable. Dean Hall later decided to create the game himself, but utilised the existing ARMA 2 game files, which he was familiar with from working on already, to create DayZ. By using the pre-existing game tools Dean was able to “take a risk that the big studios can’t”. The end result saved time and money, but meant that he couldn’t make money off DayZ or he’d breach its copyright. Shortly after its release DayZ became a huge success, boosting ARMA 2’s sales, and showing that Dean, and his idea, were commercially viable.
Video game modding has existed for almost as long as video games themselves, with varying degrees of support from the original game developers. Some of these developers restrict game modification, arguing that it constitutes a breach of copyright. This makes it harder for modders to create additional content. Other developers encourage modding, even developing programs to assist in mod creation. Then there are a rare group of developers that see the benefits of modding. More often than not, modding guarantees continued gameplay, which, while not providing further revenue, will increase the value of a game for the consumer. Modding also encourages community-building around games, and often leads to increased loyalty in gamers to these games, and franchises. In some rare instances, a mod will encourage gamers to purchase a game based solely on the mods available for it. This is the case for DayZ and ARMA 2. In some cases a mod is so exceptional that it becomes made into a full game, with the mods developers being recruited by game development companies. Two famous examples of this are Counter-Strike, and Team Fortress, which became successful games, with their creators gaining employment in the industry. In all of these instances, the companies as well as the public have benefited from video game mods.
The video game industry is similar to the film industry in that they want guaranteed successes. Video game developers invest millions of dollars into the games they make, and they will only invest in games that are proven to be financially viable. This leads to stagnation of idea both in the area of game mechanics, how the games are played, and narrative. Mods allow for fresh ideas to be produced by new thinkers, for little to no cost. The end result will not only be new creative content for the users, but also showcasing this content to major video game producers. If successful, these new ideas will enter the mainstream video game market. In the long run this keeps video games fresh and interesting, generating employment for up-and-coming developers, and keeping gamers entertained.
DayZ is a prime example of the benefits of PC video game mods. It is the culmination of a good idea, achieved with minimal funding, powered by creative willpower. Mods are not only financially beneficial for companies, but they also keep video games fresh and original for the user. Mods provide new creative content, both mechanics and narrative, which would not otherwise exist. By giving the average user the ability to express their creativity, the video game industry is provided with new ideas on game creation. They are the true frontier of the video game industry, and stand out as something purely creative — a glorious showcase of people’s ingenuity.
Photo Courtesy of SC2NoobSchool.
