One of Skyrim's most popular modders is pulling his work from Nexus Mods
One of Skyrim's most popular modders is pulling his work from Nexus Mods
Popular mod hosting site Nexus Mods recently announced that users who upload files will no longer be allowed to delete them. It plans to add a collections feature that will allow people to put together lists of compatible mods for one-click download, and if a mod that others trust is deleted, it could corrupt any collection that contains it. Instead, modders will be able to archive work they don't want on the site, removing front-facing pages of a mod, leaving files accessible in the collections they've been added to.
Some mod makers are not happy with this move and are taking advantage of Nexus Mods' policy that allows files to be deleted if they apply by August 5. The latest mod maker to request removal is Arthmoor, which is responsible for Skyrim mods like Alternate Start. - Live Another Life, which has had players skip the introduction and tutorial and has been downloaded over eight million times, plus Cutting Room Floor, Run For Your Lives, Paarthurnax Dilemma, Open Cities, Ars Metallica - Smithing Enhancement and more. Arthmoor also includes mods for Oblivion and Morrowind on the site and wants those deleted as well.
However, Arthmoor's mods will continue to be available on AFK Mods, a site that allows mods to be deleted. Group projects where Arthmoor was involved to create unofficial patches for Skyrim, Skyrim Special Edition, and Fallout 4 will remain in Nexus Mods.
There is a fundamental difference between modders who see their work as expressions of individual creativity (their personal projects they have) and those who see their work as part of a collaborative community project to make a particular game better. While the latter is happy to delegate control to hosting sites, curators and list builders, the former wants to retain ownership of their work. Wrye, creator of Morrowind modding utility Wrye Mash, has summarized the two approaches as Hall Against the Cathedral; this is a useful explanation of the two philosophies and why there will always be conflict between them.
We'll keep updating our list of the best Skyrim mods and best Skyrim Special Edition mods to point out new mod houses that are moving or alternatives to those that have been completely removed.