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Steam's Paid Mod Policy Continues to Generate Backlash, Gabe Newell Responds

Steam's Paid Mod Policy Continues to Generate Backlash, Gabe Newell Responds - News

by Craig S , posted on 26 April 2015 / 4,270 Views

The fallout from Valve's decision to allow content creators on Steam to charge for their mods continues.

Gabe Newell yesterday hosted an AMA on Reddit regarding the decision to allow for paid mods and the backlash that has followed on from it. In it he announced some changes to the policy, such as the introduction of a new 'pay what you want' option.

http://www.vgchartz.com/articles_media/images/steam-mod-2.jpg

It seems that some developers will take the decision into their own hands, however. Tripwire Interactive, the developer behind the upcoming Killing Floor 2 (currently available via Early Access), had already anticipated the potential change and inserted a clause into the game's EULA specifically prohibiting mod creators from charging for their content.

“Your Mods must be distributed for free, period,” reads the clause. “Neither you, nor any other person or party, may sell them to anyone, commercially exploit them in any way, or charge anyone for receiving or using them without prior written consent from Tripwire Interactive."

http://www.vgchartz.com/articles_media/images/steam-mod-1.jpg

Meanwhile a petition on Change.org for Valve to backtrack on the decision has managed to collect over 100,000 signatures.

That said, not everyone opposes the changes, and some developers and publishers, such as Bethesda and Garry Newman (Garry's Mod) have come out in support of the ability for content creators to charge for some of their mods.


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15 Comments
ReimTime (on 26 April 2015)

I think the donate method would be the best method. Let the consumer decide what the mod is worth and let that money go straight to the modder

  • +11
Nettles (on 26 April 2015)

There will be a flood of crap to mediocre mods with people trying to cash in.It may be harder to find good mods in the future.

  • +4
dr3b (on 27 April 2015)

Only read the titles of these articles, I thought people were mad about paid moderators. Now it makes much more sense, especially when vavle is taking so much of the money. First $400, most mods would probably be lucky to make that much.

  • 0
ikki5 (on 27 April 2015)

"Garry Newman (Garry's Mod) have come out in support of the ability for content creators to charge for some of their mods."

This is VERY concerning. Garry's Mod was only a good game due to mods. If they start charging for mods for Garry's Mod too, RIP Garry's mod. Also, his interest in it is just greed, he is looking at free money on his game that is based entirely off mods.

  • 0
Nuvendil (on 26 April 2015)

The problem I have is the shares are unfair (25% to the modder? Really?) and the other Workshop is way too limited. There's no way this can work for the big mods with the Workshop's limited tools and sloppy installation. Enderal, Ethas, Andoran, Beyond Skyrim, Luftaraan, none of these can work on the workshop. Neither can complex overhauls. So the big mods most would be OK with paying for (total conversions, large expansions with unique assets, and major overhauls) don't work, making this whole thing borderline pointless.

  • 0
Nuvendil Nuvendil (on 26 April 2015)

Oh and Valve can't moderate worth ****. And you will NEED to moderate this. Until Valve gets all their crap together, Nexus is still the place to go.

  • 0
Ruler (on 26 April 2015)

This is wrong on so many levels and will destroy the Mod community. Just like with smartphone apps, other mods assets can be stolen and then copied and pasted to make money. It will encourage modders to charge for their work as no one would like to work for free so they can be copied by someone else who will charge for them. Bye bye free mods on PC. Meanwhile valve will take their 75% on this mess.

  • 0
Zkuq Ruler (on 26 April 2015)

Yeah, this is pretty much outsourcing DLC production.

  • 0
SlayerRondo (on 26 April 2015)

This is an option for moders to get something for their time and efforts. If people don't want to pay for mods, they don't have to and more companies like Bethesda should come out supporting this as better mods value add to games like Skyrim.

  • 0
Zkuq SlayerRondo (on 26 April 2015)

This won't improve the quality of mods. The cut Valve/Bethesda are taking will make ensure that.

  • -2
486 (on 27 April 2015)

Valve sux so hard. Always looking for bad ways to increase revenue. This is as bad as the Early Alpha BS. Buyers get screwed from this kind of shit.

  • -1
beastadorrrrrrr (on 26 April 2015)

I've been a member of this site for over a year, and I've been visiting it for more than 3 years. Please unban my doublelime account.

  • -6
Ganoncrotch beastadorrrrrrr (on 27 April 2015)

Actually lol'd at this, pretty hard.

  • +2
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