Prolific VR modder Luke Ross has re-released his R.E.A.L. VR mod suite following a DMCA takedown issued by CD Projekt in January for his paywalled Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod—this time making a bulk of the work free for anybody to obtain.
The Information
Following the Cyberpunk 2077 controversy, Ross pulled all VR mods from his Patreon underneath the reasoning that piracy of his work had elevated along with avoiding different publishers issuing comparable claims.
Now, Ross has partially reinstated the R.E.A.L VR mod suite on his Patreon free of charge, which incorporates directions on methods to set up and use. Supporters are provided superior entry to new options, nevertheless anybody can set up the present model free of charge.
Notably, this doesn’t embrace the VR mod for Cyberpunk 2077, as Ross is just not together with any video games presumably in violation of DMCA claims for now.
It’s nevertheless doable Ross might finally re-release the Cyberpunk 2077 mod, as CD Projekt says it permits “cheap donations” in reference to fan content material—simply not something behind any form of paywall.
Previous to the CD Projekt takedown, mods have been solely obtainable to Patreon subscribers who paid $10 monthly, which included VR mod help for a number of widespread flatscreen titles, together with Elden Ring, Far Cry, Ultimate Fantasy VII Remake, and Ghostrunner.
Vital to notice is that none of Ross’ VR mods comprise(ed) recreation information, as they primarily solely embrace customized code for PC video games to pressure stereoscopic 3D, head-tracking, and OpenXR compatibility.
My Take
The reasoning behind Ross’ change of coronary heart remains to be a thriller, as a lot of his Patreon posts transferring ahead now embrace a type of “authorized discover” that he says prohibits readers from copying or in any other case disclosing the contents of posts, which is his mental property.
Ostensibly although, Ross appears to have discovered the best authorized technique that gained’t danger working afoul of particular person studios’ phrases of service, which generally prohibits placing mods or different types of user-generated DLC behind paywalls. It appears the “launch largely all the things free of charge and gather donations” is the present transfer ahead.
And after a number of sobering weeks, I can think about this was really the one technique left, as 505 Video games issued an identical takedown of Ghostrunner shortly after Cyberpunk 2077, which might have led to racking up a number of DMCA strikes on his Patreon web page, risking indefinite suspension and a complete cease of all incoming funds.
That stated, it’s good to see Ross come to a conclusion that advantages (most) everybody. And now that Meta is just not longer dedicated to funding huge and costly VR video games, Ross’ position as a modder may very well be much more essential now than ever.
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