Legal PS3 Controller Modifications

Common Mods

• One of the most common mods for PS3 controllers is the rapid fire mod. Rapid fire mods allow a button to press faster than human speed for faster controls -- mostly used in shooters with the "Fire" button. Other controller mods allow you to automatically detect enemies and shoot, handle reloading in shooters automatically and change shooting rules in the environment, such as drop and shoot.

Controller Mods and Legal Issues

• Controller mods are legal -- there is nothing wrong with taking a controller that you own and making changes to it for your personal use. Think back to the Super Nintendo and the third-party controllers with the "Turbo" function, which pressed a button automatically and faster than humanly possible. Just as these were legal to purchase in the store, the same applies to modern console controllers -- though you'll only find them sold online. While there's nothing wrong with using these controllers in single-player offline games, using your modded controller in a multi-player online game may violate the PlayStation Network's Terms of Use, which considers a player using modded controllers as cheating.

Ethical Issues

• While there's no legal issues regarding your modified PS3 controller, it's unethical to use the modded controller while playing an online game. Using a modded controller against other players to gain an edge isn't fair play, is considered a form of cheating and isn't likely to gain you a lot of friends on the online gaming circuit. Most gamers consider the use of modded controllers as cheating and will report known cheaters to the PlayStation Network.

Ban Risks

• Although many controllers are sold as undetectable, certain behavior red flags you as a cheater to other players. If you're reported to the PlayStation Network as a cheater, there's a chance you can be banned from online play with that PlayStation Network ID. PlayStation Network does ban for cheating, which it describes as "Doing or utilizing anything that gives the player a greater advantage than is intended for normal game play." Furthermore, certain games can ban you from their services for cheating. In August 2010, Rockstar Games banned known cheaters from "Red Dead Redemption" on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.