I will say that some of the best gaming communities have an active modding scene, and ideally that scene is intentionally fostered by the gaming company. Elder

I will say that some of the best gaming communities have an active modding scene, and ideally that scene is intentionally fostered by the gaming company. Elder Scrolls is the obvious example. It was made far better by the community, and that symbiosis created something better than either could've individually. But the companies can produce something quite impressive without a community, whereas the reverse isn't true. And the modding scene follows the same kind of trend where Total Conversions require an auteur, but the community as a whole can cooperate on unofficial patches, graphics overhauls, and the like.