Nexus Mods Faces Backlash Over NFT and Microtransaction Plans, Prompting Backpedaling from New Owners

Modding giant Nexus Mods recently faced significant community backlash following the quiet announcement of a change in ownership. The new owners, a company named Chosen, initially sparked fears of aggressive monetization, including NFTs and microtransactions, leading to a swift and public reassurance from the company to quell user concerns.

Nexus Mods Under New Ownership

Nexus Mods, a cornerstone of the gaming modding community for 24 years, recently announced a change in ownership. Founder Robin 'Dark0ne' Scott cited "stress and anxiety" as reasons for stepping back. The initial announcement, however, was notably vague about the identity of the new owners, referring only to "Victor and Marinus."

Community Uncovers New Owners and Their Plans

This lack of transparency prompted the community to conduct its own investigation. Through diligent online sleuthing, users on platforms like ResetEra identified the new owners as Chosen, a company co-founded by Victor Folmann and Marinus Elgaard, with Nikolaj Nyholm also involved. Chosen's stated mission is to "partner with founders to help scale what they’ve built—amplifying their impact, supporting their team and culture, and ensuring the business thrives for the long term."

• Monetization Concerns: The community's deep dive uncovered a "Gaming startup monetization cheat sheet" on Folmann's LinkedIn, which listed NFTs, digital goods, and in-app purchases as "Top Tools for Monetization." This discovery immediately raised alarm bells among Nexus Mods users, who feared the introduction of aggressive monetization tactics.

• Community Reaction: The potential for NFTs and microtransactions on a platform built on free user-generated content was met with widespread condemnation. Users expressed feelings of betrayal and concern for the future of the site, with many describing the monetization sheet as "slimy" and indicative of a "parasitic" business model.

Chosen's Backpedaling and Reassurance

In response to the intense backlash, Chosen quickly issued a statement to address the community's fears. They clarified their intentions, stating:

• We’re not changing the core model. No aggressive monetisation. No paid mods. If anything, we’re aiming for fewer ads, not more.

• They explicitly stated that NFTs and crypto are "100% agree — not happening" for Nexus Mods.

• They also reassured users that lifetime premium subscriptions would not be revoked and that there were no plans to charge for mods.

Chosen acknowledged the community's investigative efforts and committed to being more transparent and active within the community moving forward. The incident highlights the strong protective instincts of the modding community and the importance of clear communication from platform owners, especially during transitions.

Sources

• Nexus Mods' new owner is a company whose co-founder has already had to reassure folks that NFTs and cryptoaren't incoming, Rock Paper Shotgun.

• Nexus Mods New Owners Backpedal on Monetization After NFT & Microtransaction Plans Uncovered By Fans, Comic Book Resources.

• Nexus Mods New Owners May Be Monetization Specialists That Recommends NFTs, TheGamer.