Modding, short for modification, is the term applied to getting around the existing hardware and security parameters of your Xbox to modify the games you play in new and fun ways.
One of the most popular way to modify the Xbox is by using softmods, which are basically new software files that exploit the programming to give the user control over the system. Another popular Xbox modding method is hot swapping, which involves physically swapping the Xbox hard drive onto a computer, and then using a Linux-based Live CD to alter the data.
If you’re getting into Xbox modding, you may know that there are a variety of modding kits you can use and many games you can mod. Which kits and which games are right for modding, and can you modify any Xbox? Read on to learn more.
What Xbox Mod Kit Should I Use?
If you’re new to Xbox modding, you can go online to find a basic softmod kit. This will be enough to get you started. Your next step will be to install XBMC4Xbox, which is the dashboard you’ll use to manage your modding. It’s an open-source software program that will facilitate you adding in skins, cheat codes and whatever other modifications you choose to make.
XBMC should allow you to do all the modding you need as a beginning modder for a long time, and by the time you get bored with it, you’ll probably have your own ideas about which modification approach to take next.
What Are the Best Xbox 360 Games to Mod?
Almost any game that involves combat or players exploring open worlds can have tremendous modding possibilities. Some games/franchises that people really enjoy modding for Xbox include Call of Duty, Borderlands, World of Warcraft, Left 4 Dead, Dead Island and Halo. Whatever your favorite game is, get in there with your mods and experiment!
Are There Modders on Xbox One?
If you’ve upgraded from your Xbox 360, you may be wondering, “How do I put my mods on Xbox One?” You may also be curious about how to mod the Xbox 360 Slim.
If you’re struggling to softmod your 360 Slim, you may have to physically modify the device. You will do so by inserting a modchip, a chip specially designed to bypass the BIOS, or through TSOP flashing, reflashing the existing BIOS chip with a BIOS that has been hacked. These are tricky procedures, so be very careful. It’s best to enlist someone who has done it before to help.
For Xbox One, there is a very convenient feature that can help you with your modding. Microsoft has introduced an application called Xbox Play Anywhere. This application allows you to play your Xbox games on your PC. Once you have a game on your PC, you’re free to modify it using whatever PC application you can find, and whatever you earn in your game through modification should transfer back to the Xbox. It doesn’t work for every game, but for many, it can be a quick and easy way to get the benefits of modding.
A Guide to Modding for Your Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S
Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S were released in 2020. Since then, many gamers have wondered about modding games on these series, especially since these newer models have more of a PC feel. While modding on a PC is easier because of easy access to key files, Xbox Series X modding is also possible.
Some games feature mod marketplaces built into the game where you can install modifications. Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim have these marketplaces and are a great way to start modding. It’s possible more games will make this option available.
For both Series X and Series S, players can also sign up for a Microsoft Developer Account, available on the Windows Dev Center portal. Using this account and Universal Windows Platform developers, users can create changes, run emulators and more, creating a custom gaming experience. Development Mode doesn’t currently let you run Xbox retail games, so while it expands your gaming horizons, it doesn’t help with Xbox games.
As of November 2021, there is another exciting update — Microsoft is planning to allow Xbox app users modding access by letting them install files from the Microsoft Score or Xbox Game Pass. The move may be part of a larger trend where Microsoft allows for more customization, following the footprints of PC games and platforms like Steam. Time will tell for sure, but modders may have more options soon.
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