[Generated for academic review] Publication: Journal of Indie Game Modding , Vol. 12, Issue 1
Ecological Deviance and Mechanical Expansion: An Analysis of User-Created Mods in Feed and Grow Fish feed and grow fish mods
Feed and Grow Fish (Old B1ood, 2016) is a simulation-based arcade game where players control aquatic creatures in a food chain-driven ecosystem. Despite its niche status, the game has fostered a small but creative modding community. This paper categorizes and analyzes the primary types of mods available for Feed and Grow Fish , focusing on how they alter core gameplay loops, ecological balance, and visual fidelity. We identify three dominant mod archetypes: creature expansion mods, gameplay utility mods, and total conversion mods. The paper concludes that while the base game simulates natural predation, mods predominantly introduce "ecological deviance" (e.g., unrealistic creature sizes, hybrid species) to satisfy player fantasies of rapid progression and spectacle. This paper categorizes and analyzes the primary types
