The big N is stooping to new depths by targeting decades’ worth of user-submitted mods for the Garry’s Mod sandbox game that utilize their intellectual property.
Facepunch, the developers of GMod, have released an official statement on the game’s Steam event page, indicating that they are diligently working to remove Nintendo-related workshop submissions for Garry’s Mod in response to a takedown request from Nintendo.
Nintendo most recently pressured Discord with DMCA takedown requests targeting forked versions of the Yuzu emulator, of which they’ve recently settled with its developers, Topical Haze out of court with the emulator effectively ceasing development and its developmental code relinquished to Nintendo.
The company has a well-documented track record of issuing DMCA takedowns concerning the use of its iconic franchises and other intellectual property, including fan-made games or unofficial ports. Over the years, anyone attempting to profit from Nintendo’s assets has often faced legal action from Nintendo’s lawyers. This situation with Garry’s Mod is no exception.
Garry’s Mod is a sandbox game known for its virtually limitless possibilities.
Primarily, users often interact with others through specific game modes like Trouble in Terrorist Town or Role Playing servers. These modes may incorporate Nintendo-made assets, such as player models, to enhance the entertainment value for users. Through the Steam workshop page for the game, users can easily download and install various modifying mods, ripped player models, and user-created maps for their own purposes.
Garry’s Mod is notorious for its high-quality game modifications, readily available on the Workshop, various mods featuring real-life depictions of brand-name vehicles and gun models sourced from numerous games, if you know how to type various words you can also find countless adult oriented mods if you searched hard enough.
Even though Facepunch has been removing numerous workshop listings featuring Nintendo IP, it’s still effortless to download and install countless mods for GMod that include iconic maps from games like Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64, along with recognizable player models featuring everyone’s favorite Italian plumber.
Like many others under the scrutiny of Nintendo’s legal team, Facepunch has capitulated, acknowledging DMCA requests as “fair enough” because “it’s Nintendo’s content, and their discretion on its use.”
However, this move appears to be Nintendo clamping down on users enjoying unofficial fun with its assets outside of the Nintendo Switch ecosystem.
Garry’s Mod has embraced user-generated modifications since its inception, spanning two decades since its release. It was among the first games listed on Valve’s official Steam Workshop platform, which has seen over 1.8 million user-created additions.
The rationale behind the sudden change is puzzling, but legally justified due to “asset theft,” where Nintendo’s assets are ripped, remade, and uploaded for a sandbox game with a large, dedicated community.
Though I’m entirely sure that such removed mods will find alternative platforms for reupload, which will likely be stuck again, if you’re an avid player of Garry’s Mod and wish to preserve your favorite game modifications, you can back them up by pulling them from your steamapps addon folder where GMA files can be converted with the Gmad tool to back up your addons.
