Rockstar Lays Down the Law on Modders with a New Set of Rules and Restrictions for Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption and its Other Games

Rockstar Games has unceremoniously released a new set of guidelines for the modding community detailing what it will or will not allow be done to its games. The publisher has obviously strategically decided to roll out the new rules regarding game mods ahead of its behemoth launch for Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19. Grand Theft Auto V is among a pantheon of games which includes Skyrim, Minecraft, Fallout, Doom, and many more with a huge modding fanbase. Rockstar has stated the rules are “to maintain a fun, creative, and welcoming place for players and content creators,” but it appears the new restrictions are more far-reaching.

“Respect Our Games. Rockstar Games creates unique worlds, characters, and stories, which form the official continuity of our games. Like all creators, we have the right to set limits on how others can use our games and brand.”

– Rockstar Games

Rockstar has already been on the radar of the modding community after issuing multiple takedown notices for various mods that have recreated maps from other franchises such as Borderlands and previous GTA games over to GTA V. It also had a mod removed whereby the creator, per TechPowerUp, managed to get GTA V running on the first Nintendo Switch. It’s obvious that the new rules are aimed at curtailing creators from making these types of changes but also in preventing cheating in its online titles. In addition, the guidelines restrict the use of other IPs’ characters, music, photos, and similar content. This perhaps could have a larger impact on the modding community given the amount of mods that have imported popular characters such as Superman from movies and television into the game. One other noteworthy restriction is that mods adding monetization to in-game assets, missions, and DLC are prohibited, nor are bitcoin, gambling, or lootboxes allowed.

Per Rockstar:

• Do not expand or modify Rockstar Games’ official storylines, plots, missions, characters, or other elements of our established continuity.
• Do not make mods that combine maps, locations, characters, storylines, in-game assets, or other IP from one Rockstar Games title into another title.
• Multiplayer modding is limited to Rockstar Games’ official licensed Creator Platform or else as otherwise licensed directly by Rockstar Games.
• Do not modify our games to operate on consoles, hardware devices, or other platforms where they have not been officially released by Rockstar Games.

Do Not Infringe Rockstar Games or Third-Party IP.

• Do not create, share, or use cheat menus or other software that interferes with Rockstar Games’ official multiplayer, online services, or licensed Creator Platform.
• Do not use Rockstar Games IP or logos to promote or otherwise suggest that your mod or custom server is endorsed by or affiliated with Rockstar Games.
• Do not use protected elements of anyone else’s intellectual property in your mod, including art, characters, music, photos, games, advertisements, brands or logos, real-world locations, etc.
• Do not modify or reuse voiceover performances from any game released by Rockstar Games. Do not use any real-world person’s voice, image, or likeness without written permission.

Do Not Harm the Creator Community. We do not support modding that exploits or harms other players.

• All mods must comply with Rockstar Games User Rules and Community Guidelines.
• We do not tolerate pornography; mods that endorse violent extremism, promote self-harm, physically threaten any other player; or mods that present a risk to minor safety.
• We do not tolerate abuse, bullying, threats, or harassment of any kind.
• Do not engage in or promote conflict roleplay or military simulations depicting real-world armed organizations.

Do Not Engage in Unauthorized or Abusive Monetization. Rockstar Games’ Creator Platform is the exclusive licensed home for our community to monetize their mods. Unless permitted via Rockstar Games’ official Creator Platform, all modding must be strictly non-commercial.

• You may only monetize your mods via digital storefront providers approved by Rockstar Games and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and policies. See the Creator Platform License Agreement for more information about authorized monetization. Any other commercial exploitation of mods is prohibited.
• We do not permit mods to enable real money gambling, “loot boxes,” “gacha,” or similar chance mechanics for real money. We do not permit the offering or selling of in-game virtual currency for real money. We do not permit the use or promotion of cryptocurrency or crypto assets (e.g., “NFTs,” tokens, memecoin, or stablecoin).
• Do not make or share mods that serve as a third-party promotion, product placement, advertisement, or sponsored content.
• Do not monetize access to in-game assets, missions, DLCs, etc., created by Rockstar Games.

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