To Mod Or Not To Mod?

You just got a brand spankin' new Xbox 360, and you've heard talk about "getting it modded". Should you, or shouldn't you? Read on to find out the pros and cons of each.

"Modding" is another name for modification, and the term is almost exclusively used when referring to moddifying a game console, but does not exclude hand held systems. Systems are modded for several reasons, and not all of them are legal. Here's a list of the most commonly known reasons to have a system modded.

1) To unlock your system for uses that it wasn't initially intended for. The best example of this is the original Xbox system. Microsoft never intended for that black box to used as a multimedia hub, but that's what modding has turned it into!

2) To be able to play games from from other regions. Game consoles are almost always locked down to the region it was manufactured for, which ultimately means you can't play games from other countries. Modding your system can unlock it to play games from several different regions.

3) Free or low cost games. Its no secret that games can be downloaded for either a small price or for free for those "in the know". However this is highly ilegal and is a felony in most if not all states, so proceed at your own risk! There are also ways to make backups of original titles as well, so you can see the reason why this draws a lot of people to mod.

4) Because you can! Let's face it, some people get a lot of enjoyment from "cracking" the security systems of console manufacturers. They find it a challenge to circumvent this protection and do it for notoriety.

Now that we know why you may want to consider getting your system modded, how about why you wouldn't?

1) It may be illegal in your country, and it could be punishable by jail time or stiff fines! Proceed at your own risk!

2) It will definitely void your warranty! Once your system is atered in anyway wether its by software or hardware your manufacturer's warranty is null and void, so you may want to think twice before you peal away that seal!

3) Your system could be permanantly damaged. Modding is one of those "at your own risk" operations, and very few modders will guarantee their work. It will also be very hard for you to sue for damages because the work you want done is more than likely illegal to begin with!

4) Very difficult to resale later. Very few people will want a modded system because of the reasons outlined above. In fact it is against eBay policy to even list a system as "modded".

5) Future system updates may render your system unplayable. Those that have either of the Xbox systems know first hand about the "ban hammer" that prevented them from playing games over Xbox Live on any modded system.

There you have it. Only you know what the right choice is for you, and I am not endorsing choice. Good luck and I hope I was able to make the decision a litle easier for you.

Jamie