Capcom, the renowned game developer behind titles like Resident Evil and Street Fighter, has raised concerns about the impact of mods on PC gaming. In a recent video on their Capcom R&D YouTube channel discussing “Anti-cheat and anti-piracy measures in PC games,” the studio addressed the issue of “Reputation damage caused by malicious mods.” According to Capcom, all mods, except the officially supported ones, are considered cheats for the purpose of their engine’s anti-cheat technology.
While the company did not explicitly mention the infamous nude Chun Li mod that created a buzz at the Corner2Corner Street Fighter 6 tournament a few months ago, it’s hard to ignore the possibility that it influenced their presentation. Capcom acknowledged that mods are an integral part of PC gaming, but from an anti-cheat and anti-piracy perspective, unsupported mods are indistinguishable from cheat tools.
Capcom argued that while many mods have a positive impact on games, some can damage the company’s reputation and increase workload. Mods that are “offensive to public order and morals” can tarnish the image of their products, especially when showcased at major online tournaments. The presentation cautioned developers about players inadvertently breaking their games through mods, leading to time-consuming and resource-intensive customer support inquiries.
However, some critics find Capcom’s concerns exaggerated, especially in the context of the gaming industry’s evolution and the existence of companies like Bethesda, known for their mod-friendly approach. The presentation’s lack of distinction between mods in multiplayer and single-player games reflects a disconnect with the modding landscape and PC gaming culture.
The ambiguity in Capcom’s stance has sparked speculation about potential future restrictions on modding as the company develops its REX Engine. Questions about Capcom’s intentions regarding modding have been raised, but the company has yet to provide a clear response.
