Game Changers: Exploring Player Perspectives of Digital Game Modification

As long as there have been digital games, there have been players who seek to modify them, using settings, mods, online resources, and other methods. Despite the long history of modification in games, research has been limited by the dichotomous values implied by players using modifications for cheating (negative) or accessibility (positive). To address these limitations, we explore game modification broadly and neutrally by surveying 167 participants about their experiences, examining how and why players modify games, effects of modification, and perceptions of ethics. The results of a qualitative analysis distill diverse player perspectives into six core findings related to playfulness, agency, connection, norms, leet-ness, and technology in modified gaming experiences, where modifications add significant value to play by enabling users to tailor games to their optimal play experience. Results highlight the diversity and morality of users, and indicate that previous understandings may be too narrow and cynical.