Modding a free and open source software video game: "Play testing is hard work"
Video game modding is a form of fan productivity in contemporary participatory culture. We see modding as an important way in which modders experience and conceptualize their work. By focusing on modding in a free and open source software video game, we analyze the practice of modding and the way it...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Organization for Transformative Works
2014-03-01
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| Series: | Transformative Works and Cultures |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/493/414 |
| _version_ | 1818896413927407616 |
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| author | Giacomo Poderi David J. Hakken |
| author_facet | Giacomo Poderi David J. Hakken |
| author_sort | Giacomo Poderi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Video game modding is a form of fan productivity in contemporary participatory culture. We see modding as an important way in which modders experience and conceptualize their work. By focusing on modding in a free and open source software video game, we analyze the practice of modding and the way it changes modders' relationship with their object of interest. The modders' involvement is not always associated with fun and creativity. Indeed, activities such as play testing often undermine these dimensions of modding. We present a case study of modding that is based on ethnographic research done for The Battle for Wesnoth, a free and open source software strategy video game entirely developed by a community of volunteers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T18:59:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-df24ccabf6c94d8cb8bd2a9fa84c8779 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1941-2258 1941-2258 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T18:59:54Z |
| publishDate | 2014-03-01 |
| publisher | Organization for Transformative Works |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Transformative Works and Cultures |
| spelling | doaj.art-df24ccabf6c94d8cb8bd2a9fa84c87792022-12-21T20:09:35ZengOrganization for Transformative WorksTransformative Works and Cultures1941-22581941-22582014-03-011410.3983/twc.2014.0493Modding a free and open source software video game: "Play testing is hard work"Giacomo Poderi0David J. Hakken1University of Trento, Trento, ItalyIndiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United StatesVideo game modding is a form of fan productivity in contemporary participatory culture. We see modding as an important way in which modders experience and conceptualize their work. By focusing on modding in a free and open source software video game, we analyze the practice of modding and the way it changes modders' relationship with their object of interest. The modders' involvement is not always associated with fun and creativity. Indeed, activities such as play testing often undermine these dimensions of modding. We present a case study of modding that is based on ethnographic research done for The Battle for Wesnoth, a free and open source software strategy video game entirely developed by a community of volunteers.http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/493/414Add-onsThe Battle for WesnothFan productivityGaming |
| spellingShingle | Giacomo Poderi David J. Hakken Modding a free and open source software video game: "Play testing is hard work" Transformative Works and Cultures Add-ons The Battle for Wesnoth Fan productivity Gaming |
| title | Modding a free and open source software video game: "Play testing is hard work" |
| title_full | Modding a free and open source software video game: "Play testing is hard work" |
| title_fullStr | Modding a free and open source software video game: "Play testing is hard work" |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modding a free and open source software video game: "Play testing is hard work" |
| title_short | Modding a free and open source software video game: "Play testing is hard work" |
| title_sort | modding a free and open source software video game play testing is hard work |
| topic | Add-ons The Battle for Wesnoth Fan productivity Gaming |
| url | http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/493/414 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT giacomopoderi moddingafreeandopensourcesoftwarevideogameplaytestingishardwork AT davidjhakken moddingafreeandopensourcesoftwarevideogameplaytestingishardwork |