Game Mod

A game mod (modification) is a change made to a video game by players or third parties, rather than the original developer. Mods can add maps, items or characters, replace textures, alter rules, fix bugs or even create an entirely new game on the original engine.

Why it matters

Mods extend a game's life and have launched whole genres and studios. They also raise practical issues: compatibility with game patches, security, and rules. Mods are files that run on your computer, so downloading from untrusted sources carries malware risk. Online games may ban mods that give unfair advantages, and publishers' terms vary.

Example

Many PC games load mods from a folder:

Game/
  Mods/
    better-textures/
      mod.json
      textures/

When the game starts, it reads Mods/, applies each enabled mod in a load order, and later mods can override earlier ones. A mod manager automates this and lists conflicts.

Common mistakes

• Installing mods right after a game update without checking that they support the new version.
• Using client-side mods on a competitive server, which can trigger an anti-cheat ban.
• Downloading mods from random sites instead of established community hubs.

Related

• Patch
• Malware
• Open source
• Game engine

This page is general information written by our editorial team and updated when documentation changes. Servers and providers differ, so test changes safely first. See our editorial policy and disclaimer.