Renowned VR modder Luke Ross has recently faced a DMCA takedown from CD Projekt for his paywalled Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod. The studio alleges that the mod violates its terms of service, leading Ross to remove access to all his VR mods in response.
Following the DMCA takedown, Patreon promptly took down Ross’ Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod as it conflicted with the game’s ‘Fan Guidelines’ prohibiting commercial usage of community-created content. Ross’ VR mods, including Cyberpunk 2077, were only accessible to active Patreon subscribers who paid a monthly fee to support his work and gain access to various VR mods for popular games like Elden Ring and Far Cry.
In light of the controversy, Ross decided to remove all VR mods from his Patreon, citing the reasons behind this move to his supporters in a message titled “Under attack”. The initial DMCA takedown by CD Projekt was due to the paywalled nature of the Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod, and despite the studio’s later willingness to allow the mod for free, Ross remained firm in his stance.
Subsequently, Ross faced another DMCA takedown from 505 Games for the Ghostrunner mod, prompting him to remove all mods to prevent further claims and account termination. Ross expressed frustration over the power big companies hold in DMCA claims and the challenges creators face in defending their work.
Ross hopes that pausing billing for one month will help clarify the situation and determine the future of VR mods for AAA games. He acknowledges the reluctance of many developers to provide VR support and remains optimistic about finding a solution together with his subscribers.
While Ross is prepared to close his operation if necessary, he highlights the positive experiences shared in virtual worlds through his VR mods. Notably, his R.E.A.L. VR mod suite does not contain game files but instead enhances PC games with custom rendering code for stereoscopic 3D and head-tracking.
You can read the full message on Reddit from user ‘Top_Team_3138’. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
