Popular game mod distribution site Nexus Mods has announced a zero-tolerance policy on all video game mods directly relating to the United States political climate. The site mostly hosts mods dedicated to Bethesda RPGs like Skyrim and the Fallout games, but also features mods for Stardew Valley, The Witcher 3, and others.
Mods, like any piece of creative media, can be an excellent way for people to express themselves. Fans have found some truly outlandish and wildly creative things to do to their favorite video games. One Stardew Valley player, for instance, turned the peaceful farming game into a hardcore horde-based survival experience using a mod called Murdercrows. The sheer variety of mods available for compatible games is staggering, and the things they can do to beloved video games can boggle the mind.
Unfortunately, giving players the chance to modify their favorite video games however they want isn't always a good thing. This is a fact that has become very apparent to site owner DarkOne, who posted a very strongly worded announcement earlier today. DarkOne states that an increasing number of mods are appearing on the site based around sociopolitical issues in the United States. According to the site owner, many of these mods were created with the express intent of provoking or "trolling" fans who hold contradictory opinions. DarkOne predicts an increase in mean-spirited mods of this nature in the weeks leading up to the presidential election in November, citing a similar trend during the election four years ago. In order to counteract this unfortunate trend, Nexus Mods is announcing an all-out ban on all content related to current affairs in the US. This ban will be reviewed following the outcome of the 2020 election. In an excellent display of foresight, the only comment to be found on this post is from DarkOne themself, proclaiming that no other comments may be made on this article.
This announcement is very strongly worded; DarkOne mentions that the trolls creating these mods are "not intelligent or grown up enough to be able to debate the issues without resorting to name calling and baseless accusations." They view most of the provocateurs as "cowards with sock puppet accounts deliberately to try and cause a stir." Typically when a popular website or corporate entity engages with the political climate, they do so with an air of very deliberate neutrality, so it's quite jarring to see someone like DarkOne declare on no uncertain terms that "we do not care how this looks nor do we care if you think the mods we do or don't moderate reflect on us." At no point in the announcement does the site owner actually share their own political beliefs.
This is an incredibly firm stance to take on a very complex issue. On one hand, banning all political mods prevents people from sharing worthwhile messages about today's political climates, and denies them an opportunity to legitimately vent their frustrations to others. On the other hand, the mods that warranted this ban certainly have no place being shared on a public platform, especially one dedicated to video games. A lot of people look to video games as a form of escapism, which can be crucial for some. Introducing these issues specifically to offend and anger people is wrong on many levels. Nexus Mods' solution to this issue is perhaps a bit too heavy-handed, but the website definitely wasn't wrong to act on this toxic behavior.
Source: Nexus Mods