Modding is Good for Gaming?

Posted on May 2021 • Category: Mods

I really enjoy modding my game systems and games. It’s super fun and I believe a boost to the gaming industry. I’ll tell you why.

Caveat

This is NOT about the piracy of games. If you don’t own it, please don’t steal it. It does happen, and it’s one of the downsides of this whole sub-culture. This is one part that is NOT good for the industry.

Ok, on to the good stuff.

New opportunities for sales

I’ve purchased old games at different times just because the mods from the community were so good, that it absolutely made re-purchasing totally worth it. I try to get those games from eShops so the money goes directly to the manufacturer.

Additionally, there have been some games that have received fan-made HD updates or English localizations and now have full-blown beautiful re-releases. Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition is an awesome example of taking a great idea and cranking it to 11. The remaster is way better than any mod but clearly inspired by it.

Xenoblade Chronicles start screen mod comparison — Xenoblade’s start screen compared to HD mod

Xenoblade Chronicles HD mod battle capture — Initial battle with HD mod applied

Xenoblade Chronicles prologue with Shulk and dragonfly comparison — Shulk compared across original, HD mod, and Remastered

Creative testing ground

I’ve personally seen some mods that are so in-depth and well handled that they feel as if they are part of the original game. And unsurprisingly, actual releases with very similar ideas appear in a mainline release a year or so later, another reason why modding is good for gaming. Cloud Strife was one such example appearing as a fighter mod in Smash Brothers Brawl one year before announced for Smash on the Wii U. There’s no doubt that the Wii U one took a massive amount of inspiration from one of the most downloaded mods for Brawl.

Personalization

Some manufacturers really don’t have a desire or resources to rehash old properties or change mainline themes. Again, while the big producers may not want to go down certain paths, players absolutely are willing to spend quality time making changes that are really important to them. The Linkle mod for Breath of the Wild changes a long-standing staple in the Zelda series, the main character’s gender! This is one of the best recent examples of a passionate fanbase making high-quality modding that’s good for gaming and gamers. It’s my daughter’s favorite way to play!

Breath of the Wild with the Linkle mod at Kakariko Village — Linkle at Kakariko Village

Breath of the Wild with the Linkle mod with customized dialogue — Linkle talking to Paya with custom dialogue

Dream teams

Games like NBA Jam regularly get updates to keep the rosters current. However, my favorite mod brings all the classic Sonic characters into a merged version of Sonic 1 and 2 into a version called Sonic Classic Heroes. It also supports three players at once and incorporates Sonic 3 and Knuckles Chaotix movesets. This mod is so much fun, it’s kind of crazy. Sega should just slap a label on this thing & make bank. Maybe with Sonic Mania, they kinda did?

Sonic Classic Heores start screen — Sonic Classic Heroes start screen

Sonic Classic Heores Green Hill Zone — Sonic Classic Heroes Green Hill Zone

Pure ridiculousness

Games are meant to be fun! So why wouldn’t you want to fight Shrek in Breath of the Wild? Or a Donald Trump-themed Ganondorf in Smash Brothers? Nothing makes you want to replay an old game again like some complete randomness thrown in just for fun.

That’s the article. A bit random, but I hope you enjoyed learning why I think modding is good for gaming.

Chris
LaChance