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 video game modifications. The removal cites violations of Nexus Mods' policy against mods involving sociopolitical issues, a policy established in 2020.
Marvel Rivals, a hero shooter from 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 controversial mod replaced Captain America's in-game model with that of Donald Trump.
The mod's removal, confirmed by a "not found" error message on Nexus Mods, sparked discussion on social media. While many players understood the ban given Nexus Mods' existing policy and the perceived incongruity of Trump's likeness with Captain America, some expressed dissatisfaction with the platform's stance on political imagery in mods. It's important to note that this isn't an isolated incident; while many similar mods have likely been removed, Trump-themed mods for other games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and XCOM 2 remain available on the platform.
Notably, NetEase Games, the developer of Marvel Rivals, has yet to comment publicly on the use of character mods, including those featuring controversial political figures. The company is currently focused on addressing other pressing issues, such as bug fixes and resolving wrongful account bans.
