Rockstar to Restrain Grand Theft Auto VI Modding
Rockstar has outlined a series of changes to its modding guidelines, heavily restricting the types of custom content players can create. This news comes well in advance of Grand Theft Auto VI’s console launch, but with no PC release date in sight it looks like Rockstar is trying to stop modding before it has even begun.
A Preemptive Strike
In an update to their Community Resources earlier this month, Rockstar uploaded their Mod Guidelines. A collection of rules and regulations setting out what Rockstar does and does not approve of when it comes to modding. Though the guideline applies to all Rockstar titles, it will especially effect any potential Grand Theft Auto VI mods. As the hype and excitement surrounding it’s release is sure to draw Rockstar’s attention to any modding efforts.
Rockstar’s Mod Guidelines does contain some of the more standard modding limitations as seen elsewhere in gaming.
- “Do not create, share, or use cheat menus or other software that interferes with Rockstar Games’ official multiplayer, online services, or licensed Creator Platform.”
- “Do not use Rockstar Games IP or logos to promote or otherwise suggest that your mod or custom server is endorsed by or affiliated with Rockstar Games.”
- “Do not use protected elements of anyone else’s intellectual property in your mod, including art, characters, music, photos, games, advertisements, brands or logos, real-world locations, etc.”
Along with these more reasonable restrictions however, are some conditions that greatly limit the interactions a mod can have with the existing Rockstar environment.
- “Do not expand or modify Rockstar Games’ official storylines, plots, missions, characters, or other elements of our established continuity.”
- “Do not make mods that combine maps, locations, characters, storylines, in-game assets, or other IP from one Rockstar Games title into another title.”
These guidelines appear almost directly targeted at a mod like Nuevo Paraiso, which returns an expanded Mexico region from Red Dead Redemption 1 to Red Dead Redemption 2. It looks like Rockstar doesn’t want CJ exploring the state of Leonida this November.
The PC in Mind
All this seems to imply that Rockstar might be closer to a PC release for Grand Theft Auto VI than we were aware of. As modding on console is much more difficult and time consuming, it looks like these changes to the Mod Guidelines were done to prepare for launch on PC.
This also suggests that Rockstar wants to have more direct control over the modding scene. As with the launch of the Nopixel V closed beta on September 8th, Rockstar approval is almost necessary at this point for a large multiplayer modification. But on top of that a Rockstar seal of approval might also be required for single-player endeavors.
Grand Theft Auto VI Mods will have a harder time when it arrives on PC, as the explosive interest and an ever watching Rockstar means that any mod that steps out of line could see themselves shut down fast.
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