Take-Two Interactive has sent out a DMCA request to have all VR mods for its games—titles like Grand Theft Auto 5, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Mafia: Definitive Edition—taken down. Revealed by mod-maker Luke Ross, the DMCA takedown request essentially means that all development on these mods will have to be stopped.
Ross hopes to see if the DMCA takedown request can be fought back against, however. In a statement, Ross said that he has asked Take-Two for clarifications on the takedown, since the mods themselves have no copyrighted works from the company.
“None of my modifications are built using software belonging to Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc, and the modifications are not intended to replace their games, nor are they a means of exploiting Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc’s proprietary IP or assets,” said Ross in his statement. “All of my modifications require that users buy and own the games before they can add my modifications.”
Take-Two itself is yet to release any official statement on the DMCA takedown requests, but it is likely that the basis for the requests lie in the fact that those interested in the VR mods have to subscribe to Ross’ Patreon. With certain exceptions (like Nintendo and Konami), gaming companies have historically turned a blind eye to modding as long as the mods aren’t monetised.