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, citing violations of their sociopolitical rules. The mod, which replaced Captain America's model with that of Donald Trump, gained traction on social media, even sparking interest in a purported Joe Biden counterpart. However, both mods are now inaccessible on the platform.
Marvel Rivals, a hero shooter developed by NetEase Games, has seen a surge in popularity since its release, attracting millions of players. The game's modding community has been active, creating various skin and model replacements, ranging from alternative Marvel character designs to crossovers with other franchises like Fortnite.
The removal of the Trump mod aligns with Nexus Mods' 2020 policy prohibiting mods related to US sociopolitical issues. This policy, implemented during the 2020 presidential election, aimed to prevent potentially divisive content. While many players on social media anticipated the ban, citing the incongruity of Trump's likeness with Captain America's established persona, some expressed dissatisfaction with Nexus Mods' stance on political imagery in mods. It's worth noting that similar Trump mods exist for other games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and XCOM 2, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding political content in gaming communities.
NetEase Games, the developer of Marvel Rivals, has yet to comment on the use of character mods, particularly those featuring controversial figures. The company is currently focused on addressing other issues, including gameplay bugs and resolving wrongful account bans.
