With the source code available even the support of completely different but recent platforms with source ports becomes possible. Sometimes fans even completely reverse-engineer source code from the original program binary. Sometimes the source code is released intentionally, sometimes by leaking or mistake, such as what happened with the game engine of the Thief series. If the source code is available, support can by provided most effectively. These found fixes are typically packed to user deployable patches (e.g. for modding) is available, fixes to the content can be easily produced, otherwise the community would need to create their own tools. Sometimes only small changes in configuration files or the registry are required, sometimes binary hacks on the executable itself are required to fix bugs. If the problem is found, a fix to the program must be applied. Therefore, the faulty software's binary must be analyzed at run time by reverse engineering and debugging. The most common case is that the source code and the original development tools are not available for the software. Īnother variant of unofficial patches are slipstream like patches which combine official patches together, when individual patches are only available online or as small incremental updates. Fan translations are most common for Japanese role-playing games which are often not localized for Western markets. Unofficial patches are not limited to technical fixes fan translations of software, especially games, are often created if the software has not been released locally. Main article: Fan translation (video gaming)
While unofficial patches are most common for the PC platform, they can also be found for console games e.g. for newer operating systems, increased display resolutions or new display formats. Unofficial patches are also sometimes called fan patches or community patches, and are typically intended to repair unresolved bugs and provide technical compatibility fixes, e.g. the official developer is unable to cope with the problems.security holes) when an official one takes too long a fast solution for a time critical problem (e.g.support is not economically viable (e.g.