Nexus Mods Bans Donald Trump Marvel Rivals Mod Due to Sociopolitical Concerns
A recently uploaded Donald Trump mod for the popular game Marvel Rivals has been removed from Nexus Mods, a leading platform for game modifications. The removal cites Nexus Mods' policy against mods involving sociopolitical issues, a policy established in 2020.
Marvel Rivals, a hero shooter developed by NetEase Games, has quickly gained millions of players since its release. Players frequently utilize mods to customize character models, ranging from alternate skins based on Marvel comics and films to even crossovers with other franchises like Fortnite. The now-removed mod replaced Captain America's model with that of Donald Trump, sparking discussion on social media. A corresponding Joe Biden mod also appears to have been removed.
The ban aligns with Nexus Mods' 2020 statement prohibiting mods related to US sociopolitical issues. While this decision has been met with mixed reactions from the Marvel Rivals community, with some expressing support and others criticizing the censorship, it's consistent with the platform's established guidelines. Interestingly, NetEase Games, the developer of Marvel Rivals, has yet to comment on the use of character mods, including those featuring politically charged figures. The company is currently focused on addressing other in-game issues, such as bug fixes and resolving wrongful account bans.
Despite the ban on this particular mod, similar mods featuring Donald Trump remain available for other games on Nexus Mods, including Skyrim, Fallout 4, and XCOM 2, highlighting the selective nature of enforcement across different game titles.