Publication Type: Session Paper
Abstract: Many users of computer games do not only play games, but use them as means for the creation of game-related content. This paper introduces different ways of how players actively create new content based on computer games: Gamics (comics based on modified screenshots of computer games), machinima (films that are shot within the virtual reality of a game engine), and mods. A mod is a user-generated modification of a computer games that is distributed over the internet for free. Even though the creation of game content and especially the development of modifications has a long tradition among computer game players, it has hardly been researched from a communication science perspective. Results from a qualitative study on reasons for making mods are presented. The results indicate that, among others, being creative and translating individual ideas into game content is a strong motivation for users of computer games to develop mods.