Given that most mod hosting platforms like GameBanana and Nexus rigorously scrutinize game modifications that challenge “the message,” it’s clear that modding a video game is no longer about freedom of expression.
I’ve been quite on edge regarding game mods ever since Capcom vowed to eradicate game modding, equating it to cheating.
They retroactively inserted the Enigma Protector DRM into older games, breaking mod compatibility and sometimes the games themselves, in an attempt to thwart modders from modifying their game files.
Considering how popular modern Capcom titles are, such as the Resident Evil remakes (2, 3, and 4), with modifications aimed at circumventing Capcom’s progressive, woke ESG allegiance by making character models more attractive, I believe Capcom took issue with game modders due to the proliferation of adult-centric “slut mods” for its games.
Recently, we’ve encountered issues concerning the use of various game mods based on intellectual property. A notable incident involved Nintendo, or possibly an individual impersonating Nintendo, pressuring Garry’s Mod developers Face Punch with DMCA takedowns. These takedowns targeted decades’ worth of mods uploaded to Steam’s Workshop.
Fighting games are notorious for third-party modifications. Franchises such as Dead or Alive, Street Fighter, and the whole Skullgirls censorship debacle, there has always been a dedicated modding community for these games. This community often focuses on incorporating new characters or alternative versions of existing ones, frequently involving nudity and sexually explicit mods.
Such as how in August 2023, a Street Fighter 6 tournament was disrupted when a caster accidentally left their nude modification of Chun-Li installed, resulting in it being visible during the broadcast.
https://twitter.com/nicholasdeorio/status/1686142593833345024
The entire incident was absolutely hilarious. It just goes to show that these kinds of mods have been around for ages and will continue to be popular. However, Warner Brothers are now determined to crack down on content creators who publish videos of game mods in Mortal Kombat, threatening their channels and possibly their livelihood.
Content creator ToastedShoes, who has over 809,000 subscribers, proclaimed that he was directly targeted by Warner Brothers. They threatened to obliterate his channel by pressuring him with multiple DMCA takedowns on his videos, such videos include Mortal Kombat 1.
This game faced significant criticism for pandering to “modern audiences” with radical censorship and alterations of iconic characters and costumes deemed too revealing and therefore sexist.
Mortal Kombat 1 also faced criticism for the unnecessary redesign of Tanya, who appeared to have been drastically altered to fit an “uglified” standard of acceptance.
Given how DEI/ESG initiatives oppose the portrayal of attractive women in video games, modern games, like Mortal Kombat 1, tend to feature female characters who are androgynous or simply revolting to look at.
Warner Bros seems to have an issue with players modifying their games, whether it’s removing unappealing elements or adding characters for fun, both fictional and real. ToastedShoes’ videos, which feature mods including characters from Disney franchises, SpongeBob, Family Guy, and even Dr. Phil, exemplify this creativity.
Mortal Kombat 1 boasts a large modding community that enables players to fulfill their fantasies by adding WWE professional wrestlers or adult-centric mods. These modifications often aim to bypass the efforts of the developers, NetherRealm, who have been trying to maximize their ESG scores by covering up female characters and making them less attractive.
It seems rather peculiar that Warner Bros. is now taking action against those showcasing game modifications featuring characters and properties from other intellectual properties. It’s highly likely that corporations like Disney have pressured Warner Bros. to act against the distribution and coverage of mods, despite these third-party modifications being freely distributed and typically considered fair use.
Previously, ToastedShoes angered Nintendo by introducing Pokémon into PocketPair’s Palworld, an open-world survival game often labeled a “Pokémon clone.” Nintendo issued a DMCA takedown against ToastedShoes for promoting such a mod, further highlighting the power these corporations wield over gamers who simply wish to express themselves freely with products they’ve purchased.
Simply because they’re modifying the game in the “wrong” way. I can guarantee that these companies would not object to individuals modifying games to increase censorship, make characters less attractive or remove entire segments deemed “cringe,” as these changes align with their ideology.
ToastedShoes has chosen to comply with Warner Bros.’ requests by setting his videos to private. He is actively following their takedown demands and striving to appeal their decision. While the possibility of Warner Bros. reversing their stance in the near future seems slim, the attention garnered by circulating this news could potentially boost his chances.
The man has spent years producing video content and game modifications, all of which can be easily shut down if a company decides to flood a channel with copyright strikes and DMCA takedowns for IP infringement.
Under YouTube’s current guidelines, a channel that receives three copyright strikes is effectively terminated. This is exactly what ToastedShoes claims Warner Bros. is threatening him with if he fails to comply and take down the specified videos. Copyright claims are not the same as copyright strikes, but if ToastedShoes did not adhere to their demands, his entire channel with over 800K subscribers could be terminated almost instantly.
This is what modern gaming has become. Companies like Warner Bros., despite the success of the single-player-focused Hogwarts Legacy which faced a boycott campaign by trans activists followed by the disastrous failure of the live service Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, have lost substantial money from their gaming ventures in recent months, largely due to Rocksteady Studios.
Their stance against content creators will certainly boost their social standing and will garner more sales from gamers in the future I’m sure.
Hosting platforms for game modifications now discriminate against “problematic” mods that allegedly “sexualize underage characters” even less than alternative in-game outfits. NexusMods has made their position clear, especially when they and other activists protested the removal of pride flags in Marvel’s Spider-Man.
NexusMods has since removed a de-censorship patch for Final Fantasy VII Remake, which Square Enix censored retroactively four years after release, which likely contributed to the fact that its sequel, Rebirth, flopped spectacularly.
NexusMods has also removed modifications that eliminate woke “anti-racist” disclaimers, gender swapping characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, effectively turning a lesbian relationships into a straight one, mods that remove pronouns in Starfield, and anything that “whitewashes” a character. However, mods that turn characters Black, such as the “Tifandra” mod for Final Fantasy VII Remake, are allowed.
Capcom now discriminates against game modders mainly because communities around their new RE Engine games focus on making characters more attractive, adding skimpy outfits, increasing bust sizes, or incorporating nudity. Game journalists typically loathe these modifications unless they involve altering male characters, such as giving them exaggerated genitalia.
Remember, there’s no agenda in games journalism.
Now Warner Bros. is joining the fray, targeting individuals regardless of their massive followings. Videos featuring Mortal Kombat 1 with alternative characters from other franchises are apparently a big no-no these days. Gaming is truly on its last legs.
Everything must be plain, everything must be gay, everything must be ugly; if you step out of line, you will be punished. These companies want you to blow your money on their subpar commercial tie-in DLCs, vote with your wallets. Be sure to pirate everything related to AAA western studios.
