Before I start today's reflection paper, I would like you participate in a quiz:
Let's make a guess where they come from!
Did you get them right?
(Answers could be found at the bottom of this blog entry)
Below are two of my favorite mods:
In the reading, this type of modding is describes as "texture poaching". However, when I was travelling around in the Lagendia, I do not see these players around. Interestingly, whenever I ask about game modification in the game, here is the response which I get:
(Disclaimer: This is my own interpretation of their responses).
I found out that this is a result of the game developer's (Eyedentity Games) having strict rules against game modifications. In www.dragonnestsource.com, an official webpage forum for the game, posting information about game modification on the forums will result bans of game accounts. Even so, game modders carry on their practices and continue to thread on a thin line between fulfilling their fantasies and getting their game account ban in the name of hacking the game.
Most "MMORPGs largely closed off to modification for fear that modding could disrupt the mimetic immersion of other players in the Tolkienesque universe, as well as interfering with play mechanics and unbalancing player quests and battles". Thus, it is the same for Dragon Nest as it is for World of Warcraft (described in the readings).
Even so, the game modifications in Dragon Nest only change the aesthetics of players' avatars and they are only visible from the game client's perspective. In other words, only they could see the changes they made to their game. I guess this is why these artistic modifications (texture poaching) does not have any copyright issues because it is solely for a modder's personal pleasure and viewing only.
With regards to modding in-game UI, unlike World of Warcraft where modders could make drastic changes to their interface (e.g. adding item/skill slots, adding threat/ dps/ healing meters, adding debuffs counters, etc.), modders in Dragon Nest could only make changes to the way each feature of the UI looked, absolutely no additional features are allowed.
With regards to modding in-game UI, unlike World of Warcraft where modders could make drastic changes to their interface (e.g. adding item/skill slots, adding threat/ dps/ healing meters, adding debuffs counters, etc.), modders in Dragon Nest could only make changes to the way each feature of the UI looked, absolutely no additional features are allowed.
This phenomenon in Dragon Nest Community has gave me some interesting thoughts with regards to Game Modification.
Symbiosis Relationship between Game Modders and Developers
In the context of an MMORPG, balancing the game is of utmost important. Therefore, the role of game modders is decreased to the minimal. There are very limited types of modification which could be done because developers will not allow cheaters to thrive within the game.
Despite warnings and bans for game modders who step across the line, this did not deter game modders from modifying the game. On the other hand, developers did not stomp out game modifications in their game entirely. The presence of an online community of Dragon Nest game modders simply shows the developers' acceptance towards reasonable game modifications.
In a way, I view this as a symbiotic relationship because the two parties have come to a consensus where the situation is mutually beneficial. Game modders get to play in their favorite avatar costumes, skins, etc. while developers enjoy the increase in number of subscriptions brought in by these game modifications.
Dragon Nest(JP) New Costumes Based on Player Design Available In-Game Now.
The above link is the reinforcement of my point with regards to this symbiotic relationship between game modders and developers as it showcased how Dragon Nest developers "poach off the voluntary labour of players" as well.
Game Modders as Parasites
In this reading, I find that the view of game modders as parasites are rather harsh due to the negative connotations that the word, "Parasite" entails. Indeed, game modders are fueled by the contents from the original games and they "(the artist modder) engages directly with the game engine, inserting noise from within".
For game modders who are cheaters that end up breaking the game, I believe they are eligible to be considered as a parasite. But to consider game modders who have gotten the game legally and done nothing harmful to the host (game) as parasites is rather injustice. I understand that the identity of the parasite could be dynamic but it is definitely a food for thought for me tonight.
The reading has sought to identify the role of the parasites between the game modders and developers and introduce the concept of a symbiotic relation between the two parties. Thus, my question for today's seminar is: Which party stand to gain the most through these forms of game modifications, becoming the biggest parasite in the context of a MMORPG game?
Answers to quiz: 1) Bleach 2) Naruto 3&4) Final Fantasy VII
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