CD Projekt RED Forces Removal of Cyberpunk 2077 VR Mod

Prominent virtual reality modder Luke Ross recently announced the removal of his sought-after Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod following a DMCA request lodged by the game’s developer, CD Projekt RED. This mod allowed players to explore the vast world of Night City with enhanced immersion through virtual reality.

Initially launched in late February 2022, the timing of CD Projekt RED’s actions raises questions, as it appears they were unaware of the mod’s presence until now. It remains a mystery as to what specifically prompted this sudden enforcement.

It’s crucial to note that CD Projekt RED is not developing an official VR mode for Cyberpunk 2077. Luke Ross explicitly confirmed he had discussions with the company’s vice president of business development and their legal department regarding the mod, a stark contrast to past experiences he had with Take-Two Interactive, which resulted in the takedown of his VR mods for Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto V, and Mafia Definitive Edition.

Expressing his frustration, Ross took to Patreon to voice his discontent, stating that corporate interests prioritize profits over the gaming community. Despite the controversy, reactions among gamers on Reddit and various social platforms suggest a degree of acceptance, as it’s well understood that companies must protect their intellectual property. The situation may have been avoided had the mod been offered for free, allowing users to support Ross through donations on Patreon instead.

In fact, CD Projekt RED has been known to support free mods, as demonstrated by their backing of communities around The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. The studio even provided comprehensive modding tools, known as REDkit, for The Witcher 3, fostering an active modding community. Notably, Cyberpunk 2077 holds a significant place on Nexus Mods, ranking as the fastest-growing game for mod downloads, trailing only behind Skyrim (base and Special Edition) and Fallout 4.

Despite the setback with the Cyberpunk VR mod now being behind a paywall, Ross remains undeterred and has launched a new VR mod for Baldur’s Gate 3. This endeavor poses additional challenges due to the game’s isometric camera perspective, which is not inherently compatible with virtual reality. However, similar to his previous work, this mod is also available behind a paywall, potentially inviting further legal scrutiny from Wizards of the Coast, the game’s license holder.

In a broader context, the virtual reality gaming landscape has faced a notable setback with Meta‘s recent decision to close three studios—Sanzaru Games, Twisted Pixel, and Armature Studio—as part of a 10% workforce reduction in its Reality Labs division. Additionally, Camouflaj, known for titles such as République and Iron Man VR, has also been impacted, leading to the cancellation of its Arkham Shadow sequel and halting future VR gaming initiatives.

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