Summary
A Donald Trump character mod for the game Marvel Rivals has been removed from Nexus Mods, reportedly due to its sociopolitical nature, violating the platform's established rules against such content. The game's developer, NetEase Games, has yet to comment on the matter or the broader issue of character mods within Marvel Rivals.
Marvel Rivals, a recently released hero shooter, has quickly gained millions of players. Players are customizing their gameplay experience through various mods, ranging from cosmetic changes inspired by Marvel comics and films to more unusual additions, such as replacing character models with those from other franchises like Fortnite.
The Trump mod, which replaced Captain America's model, generated significant online attention, with some players even seeking out a purported Joe Biden counterpart. However, both mods are now inaccessible on Nexus Mods, resulting in error messages.
Reasons for Removal:
Nexus Mods' 2020 policy explicitly prohibits mods related to US sociopolitical issues. This policy, implemented during a period of heightened political tension, aims to maintain a neutral platform. The removal of the Trump mod aligns with this pre-existing guideline.
Social media reactions have been mixed. Many players found the ban unsurprising, citing the incongruity of Trump's image with Captain America's established persona. Others expressed dissatisfaction with Nexus Mods' stance on political content. It's worth noting that while many Trump-related mods have been removed from Nexus Mods, others persist in games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and XCOM 2.
NetEase Games, the developer of Marvel Rivals, has not publicly addressed the use of character mods, including those featuring controversial figures. The company's current focus appears to be on resolving gameplay bugs and addressing player account issues.