Former Naughty Dog Dev On Why Studios Want Mods Banned

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Summary

  • Mods create game balance issues with exploits and strain servers.
  • NSFW mods damage developers’ reputations and cause moderation challenges.
  • Skin sales drop due to free mods, impacting revenue streams heavily.

After the introduction of Marvel Rivals Season 1 update, NetEase has covertly stopped mods from functioning. Although it may appear as if the developers are merely trying to stop members of the community from releasing skins that could impact their profits, there seems to be more going on beneath the surface.

On Twitter, experienced character artist X Del Walker, formerly of Naughty Dog, Respawn, and Rocksteady, shared insights into why many game studios dislike mods and often prohibit them in their games.

Why Developers Don’t Like Mods In Games Explained

Here’s the explanation by Walker:

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve come across some incredible mods that either illuminate my adversaries like neon lights, making them impossible to miss, or camouflage me in such a way that I blend seamlessly into the background. These visual mods can significantly alter the game’s equilibrium, making it more challenging or easier depending on how they’re used.

2. Overloading the Server: Some unoptimized mods may occasionally exhibit unusual behavior, potentially overtaxing the server. This issue persists even for client-side exclusive mods, as servers often need to cross-verify information, leading to occasional strange occurrences.

3. Supporters of Arsenal FC: Unintended explicit content, as demonstrated by the incident of nude Chun-Li in the Street Fighter Tournament, can potentially harm a developer’s reputation or standing if it circulates online.

4. Moderation: Making decisions about what content should be banned versus allowed is an ongoing, complex task that requires careful consideration to avoid being perceived as either hypocritical or mishandling the delicate balance between free speech and offensive content.

5. Brand: Maintaining the original artistic vision and consistent branding for your game becomes increasingly challenging as more people influence its public perception over time.

7. As a passionate enthusiast, I can’t stress enough the importance of respecting intellectual property when it comes to mods. Many modifications may unknowingly infringe on copyrighted designs or assets, creating a potential legal minefield. It’s crucial to be aware that this could lead to a deluge of legal issues if these items remain online for too long.

7. Skin Marketplace: The primary factor behind this is a significant decrease in skin sales when free mod options are available. Studios prioritize safeguarding their earnings, so they prefer to maintain control over these transactions.

From my perspective, I’ve noticed that Walker highlights the impact of mods on a game’s income, which is likely the main factor leading to their removal. However, it’s also worth considering the other reasonable explanations he provides.

Although NetEase generally prohibits mods in their games, there are some studios, like Larian Studios, who welcome them. In fact, they even approve of mods on the console versions of their latest game, Baldur’s Gate 3, which is an unusual practice. If you’re curious about what these mods can offer, check out our top picks for Baldur’s Gate 3 mods to see what you might be missing out on.

In the future, it would be great if developers adopt a more lenient approach towards mods, considering the ingenious work the community has done in generating captivating content. Modifications can significantly extend a game’s lifespan because the community often releases them at no cost, drawing players back to explore the new additions.

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2025-01-13 03:38