Bethesda recently released a remastered edition of Doom and Doom II on Steam, with numerous extra episodes and improvements. One of the highlight features of this release is the built-in browser for mods, which opens up the possibility for players to access and enjoy fan-made mods on the Steam version of the classic Doom games. However, this seemingly positive development comes with a significant downside – a lack of proper moderation in the mod browser.
The Issue with Mod Browser
The mod browser in the Doom remastered edition lacks moderation, allowing users to upload the work of others under their own name without proper credit. This unethical practice has understandably caused outrage within the Doom community, with one level designer describing it as “a massive breach of trust and violation of norms the Doom community has upheld for 30 years.”
The Breach of Trust
Game designer Jean-Paul LeBreton, known for his work on games like the BioShock series and Psychonauts 2, expressed his disappointment with Bethesda and Zenimax for allowing such a breach of trust to occur. The problem lies in the two avenues provided for installing mods in the remastered edition: curated “Featured mods” and the unmoderated “Browse” section. The latter has become a dumping ground for random uploads, with little to no vetting process in place.
The lack of moderation in the mod browser not only leads to uncredited works but also poses the risk of broken mods being available for download. Users have reported instances where mods crash due to incompatible capabilities with the remaster or are simply misrepresented by uploaders who take credit for another’s work. This issue not only undermines the hard work of original creators but also creates confusion and frustration for players.
While there is a “report mod” button available in the browser, the responsibility for moderating content is unfairly shifted onto the original creators. This is particularly challenging in a modding culture that has been active for three decades, where some creators may no longer be available or willing to police the unauthorized uploads of their mods. The burden of ensuring proper crediting and functionality of mods should not fall solely on the shoulders of creators.
Bethesda’s Track Record
The lack of moderation in the Doom mod browser raises questions about Bethesda’s commitment to supporting the modding community. While Bethesda has a history of allowing modding in their games, they have also faced criticism for mishandling mod-related issues in the past. The company’s mixed track record with modders, including the controversial “paid mods” fiasco, has created skepticism among the community.
The lack of moderation in the mod browser of the Doom remastered edition is a concerning issue that undermines the integrity of the modding community. Bethesda and Zenimax must take steps to address this problem by implementing better moderation practices and ensuring that creators are properly credited for their work. Failure to do so not only damages the trust between game developers and modders but also detracts from the overall gaming experience for players.
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