Summary
A Donald Trump character mod for the video game Marvel Rivals has been removed from Nexus Mods, reportedly due to its violation of the modding platform's policy against sociopolitically charged content. NetEase Games, the developer of Marvel Rivals, has yet to comment on the matter or the broader issue of character mods within the game.
Marvel Rivals, a recently released hero shooter, has quickly gained millions of players. The game's modding community has been active, creating various modifications, ranging from cosmetic skin changes to more substantial alterations of character models, including instances using models from other franchises like Fortnite.
A mod replacing Captain America's model with Donald Trump generated significant online discussion, with some players even seeking out a corresponding Joe Biden mod. However, both mods are now inaccessible on Nexus Mods, resulting in error messages indicating their removal.
Reasons for Removal:
Nexus Mods' 2020 policy prohibiting mods related to US sociopolitical issues is cited as the reason for the removal. This policy, implemented during a highly contentious election cycle, aimed to prevent potentially divisive content on the platform.
Social media reactions were mixed. Many players found the mod's use of Captain America's model inappropriate, while others criticized Nexus Mods' stance on political imagery in mods. It's worth noting that despite this removal, Trump-themed mods persist in other games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and XCOM 2.
Developer Response:
NetEase Games, the game developer, has not publicly addressed the issue of character mods, including those featuring controversial figures. The company's current focus appears to be on addressing gameplay bugs and resolving player account issues.
