This thread is the result of a conversation on a different thread that raised my curiosity.I am NOT wanting to start an argument thread here, "mods vs vanilla" or anything like that at all. So, let me first say a little about my life view.

My motorcycle has a rigid frame, 12 inch extended front end, high performance engine, custom paint, custom handlebars, and custom paint (I like custom paint ). I have been known to get rid of wives rather than get rid of that bike... I drive a '65 Chev pickup that is almost all original, but I just had to put it on custom mag wheels with some nice wide meats on the back. My jacket is leather, with custom patches and accessories, and even my hat has a custom hatband and a feather or two.

I like my world modified to suit my taste and individuality, without regard to peer pressure, authority, or societal norms of dress and/or behavior. In other words, I'm nuts, and I don't try to hide it.

In playing games, I originally loved Baldur's Gate, Diablo, Ghost Recon, Blackhawk down, and other simialr types of games, but then... I discovered Morrowind, and the depth and individualization that mods can bring. There were hundreds of Morrowind mods to choose from, but wanting a tailored experience, I got into modding so that I could have things to suit me. I spent years playing Morrowind and nothing else.

Since then I've moved on to play Oblivion (and mod it), Skyrim (and mod it) Fallout 3 (didn't mod) and now Fallout New Vegas which I do mod). I have the new Tomb Raider, Witcher, Witcher II, Pirates of the Caribbean, and a couple of other titles on my machine, but i've never played them. I haven't the time, and these games are not easily moddable.

So to boil it down, I like my life and my games customized for my enjoyment, and general satisfaction. I don't want to drive a stock Prius off the showroom floor, and I don't want to play a game that fits like a suit purchased from Wal Mart... Eh, "One size fits all"... but that's just me.

You may comment on any part of this and consider it part of the thread, but the main idea is if you use mods, why? and if not, why not? Does a modded game suit your self image and life view, or do you find vanilla play more appealing? Please stay away from generalized statements of one being somehow better than the other, just tell us why you like your choice.