Summary
- A Donald Trump mod for Marvel Rivals appears to have been banned due to sociopolitical issues, violating Nexus Mods rules.
- NetEase Games, developer of Marvel Rivals, hasn't responded to issues over character mods.
Marvel Rivals, launched just under a month ago, has captivated millions of players worldwide. As they engage in thrilling hero shooter gameplay, fans are not only mastering various Marvel heroes but also exploring unique strategies and character interactions to climb the ranks.
The game's modding community has been active, enhancing the gameplay experience by altering hero models. From incorporating different skins inspired by Marvel Comics and movies to integrating Fortnite models of iconic characters like Captain America and Spider-Man, mods have added a fresh layer of customization.
Recently, a user on Nexus Mods introduced a Donald Trump mod for Captain America, a popular Vanguard in Marvel Rivals. This mod quickly circulated on social media, sparking interest and even calls for matches featuring a Joe Biden mod. However, Nexus Mods appears to have banned and removed the Trump mod, as attempts to access it now result in an error message indicating it's no longer available on the site. The Biden mod is similarly unsearchable.
Why Was the Donald Trump Marvel Rivals Mod Removed?
Nexus Mods established a policy in 2020 to ban mods related to sociopolitical issues in the United States, following the contentious election between then-President Trump and challenger Biden. They encouraged users to report any mods that contravened this rule. The removal of the Trump mod aligns with this policy, and many Marvel Rivals fans on social media were unsurprised, citing the inappropriateness of using Captain America's model for Trump. A minority expressed frustration over Nexus Mods' decision to ban political imagery entirely.
This isn't the first instance of Trump being featured in video game mods. While many such mods have likely been removed from Nexus Mods, mods featuring Trump are still available for games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, and XCOM 2.
Meanwhile, NetEase Games, the developer behind Marvel Rivals, has yet to comment on the use of character mods, particularly those involving controversial or political figures. As a new game, NetEase has been focused on addressing gameplay bugs and resolving issues with false bans, leaving the modding community's concerns unaddressed.
