Editing Patch (computing) (section)

==Video games==
[[Video game]]s receive patches to fix compatibility problems after their initial release just like any other software, but they can also be applied to change game rules or [[algorithm]]s. These patches may be prompted by the discovery of [[Exploit (online gaming)|exploits]] in the [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] game experience that can be used to gain unfair advantages over other players. Extra features and gameplay tweaks can often be added. These kinds of patches are common in [[first-person shooters]] with [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] capability, and in [[MMORPG]]s, which are typically very complex with large amounts of content, almost always rely heavily on patches following the initial release, where patches sometimes add new content and abilities available to players. Because the balance and fairness for all players of an MMORPG can be severely corrupted within a short amount of time by an exploit, servers of an MMORPG are sometimes taken down with short notice in order to apply a critical patch with a fix.

Companies sometimes release games knowing that they have bugs. ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''{{'}}s [[Scorpia (journalist)|Scorpia]] in 1994 denounced "companies—too numerous to mention—who release shoddy product knowing they can get by with patches and upgrades, and who make {{'}}''pay''-testers of their customers".<ref name="cgw199404">{{Cite magazine
 |author=Scorpia
 |date=April 1994
 |title=So You Want To Be A Hero?
 |department=Scorpion's View
 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=117 
 |magazine=Computer Gaming World
 |pages=54–58}}</ref>