Bethesda’s recent release of the remastered edition of Doom and Doom II on Steam brought about excitement among fans due to the additional episodes and improved features. One notable addition was the built-in browser for mods, allowing players to access numerous fan-made mods on the Steam version of the game. However, this positive development was overshadowed by a significant issue within the mod browser itself.
Game designer Jean-Paul LeBreton criticized the mod browser for its lack of moderation, enabling individuals to upload mods created by others under their own name. This unethical practice not only undermines the hard work of original mod creators but also goes against the established norms of the Doom community. LeBreton described it as “a massive breach of trust and violation of norms” that the community has upheld for decades.
Within the new Doom remasters, players have two avenues to install and play mods. The first option, “Featured mods,” offers a curated list of officially endorsed mods that are correctly credited, such as Sigil 2 by Romero Games and Harmony by Thomas van der Velden. On the contrary, clicking on “Browse” reveals a vast collection of mods without proper vetting or moderation, leading to what LeBreton referred to as a “chum-bucket of random shit.”
One of the primary concerns with the mod browser is the upload system, which allows users to submit mods without thorough scrutiny. This system opens the door to copyright infringement and plagiarism, as individuals can take credit for someone else’s work without repercussions. Despite the presence of a “report mod” button, the burden of monitoring content falls on the original creators, which may not be feasible due to various reasons.
The unchecked upload system has resulted in the availability of broken mods that may not function correctly within the remastered edition of Doom. Additionally, many mods lack proper crediting, with unauthorized individuals claiming ownership of community works. This not only disrespects the original creators but also diminishes the collaborative and supportive nature of the modding community.
As the situation surrounding the Doom remastered edition unfolds, many modders are calling for accountability and proper crediting of creators. LeBreton emphasized the importance of seeking permission before uploading someone else’s mods and highlighted the negative repercussions of unauthorized uploads. The lack of moderation and oversight within the mod browser has raised concerns about the future of modding in the Doom community.
It remains to be seen how Zenimax, the parent company of Bethesda, will address the issues plaguing the mod browser. While Bethesda has a history of supporting modding within their games, past controversies and mishaps have left modders with mixed emotions. As players and creators continue to voice their frustrations, the need for better moderation and crediting practices becomes increasingly apparent in order to preserve the integrity of the Doom modding community.
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