Modding has become a popular tradition among players of the Resident Evil series, allowing them to replace characters with unexpected and comical alternatives, such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Shrek, or Barney the Dinosaur. However, Capcom, the developer of Resident Evil, has expressed concerns over the potential “reputational damage” caused by certain mods. In an internal presentation shared on their YouTube channel, Capcom’s R&D department highlights the challenges of dealing with modding and its impact on cheating, piracy, and the image of their games.
The Definition of Mods
According to the presenter in the video, Capcom considers all mods to be cheats for the purposes of anti-cheat and anti-piracy measures. While addressing piracy is one aspect, the focus of the presentation seems to be on the content of mods themselves. Capcom warns of mods that contain “offensive” material, creating concerns about the reputation of their games and the company. They argue that these offensive mods may be mistaken for legitimate implementations, further exacerbating the potential reputational damage caused.
It is unclear how Capcom precisely defines what qualifies as “offensive to public order and morals,” as they do not provide specific examples. While it is hard to imagine harmless mods featuring cartoon characters impacting the reputation of the game or the company in a scandalous manner, Capcom deems it necessary to exercise tighter control over modding to mitigate potential risks.
The Impact on Reputation and Support
The negative impact of mods on Capcom’s reputation goes beyond offensive content. The company highlights how mods can lead to performance issues, such as crashes, freezing, and save data corruption. Players who encounter these problems may seek support from Capcom, diverting resources and budget away from developing high-quality games. The increased customer support load can cause delays in game production and user support, ultimately affecting the overall development costs.
While it is understandable that Capcom wants to protect its reputation and ensure the quality of its games, it appears somewhat excessive to worry about mods that allow players to fight monsters with unconventional weapons or introduce amusing character replacements. The concern over offensive mods may also be exaggerated, as the majority of mods actually have a positive impact on the game and foster creativity within the player community. It is questionable whether these concerns warrant the serious tone presented in the PowerPoint slides.
Capcom’s concerns regarding modding in Resident Evil reflect their desire to protect their reputation and ensure a high-quality gaming experience for users. The classification of all mods as cheats for the purpose of anti-cheat and anti-piracy measures may be understandable, but their concern over offensive content may seem excessive. While mods can potentially lead to performance issues and increase the workload of customer support, the majority of mods contribute positively to the game experience. Ultimately, finding a balance between allowing creative freedom through modding and protecting the reputation of the game remains a challenge for game developers like Capcom.
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