Rockstar Games Updates Policy on RP Servers: Bans Loot Boxes, NFTs, and Monetizing Mods

Rockstar Games, creator of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series and Red Dead Redemption, has updated its policy on role-playing servers and mods after being silent about them for years. 

In the new policy update, Rockstar has banned using cryptocurrencies or crypto assets such as NFTs, making new content such as games, stories, missions, or maps, generating revenue from sponsorships, and more. 

Despite acknowledging the rich array of community-created experiences within its titles, Rockstar is removing crucial elements of its games and is reportedly banning users and modders following the updated policy.

A Step Back or a Step Forward?

Role-playing (RP) servers and mods have been integral to the blockbuster gaming studio’s titles. One could say that Rockstar Games’ most successful title, 2013’s Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), is relevant today because of role-playing and modding culture. 

Servers like NoPixel, Twitch RP, and Eclipse RP are some of the most popular servers out there. They enable GTA V to be one of the most streamed and watched categories on the Amazon-led streaming platform, Twitch. 

It has yet to be determined why Rockstar updated its stance on the modding and role-playing culture of its game. This is especially concerning since it hasn’t shared anything substantial in over nine years. However, one thing is for sure, the video game giant is doubling down on loot boxes, NFTs, and the monetization of mods. 

Here’s what Rockstar will be banning moving forward: 

1. Misuse of Rockstar Games trademarks or game intellectual property
2. Importation or misuse of other IP in the project, including other Rockstar IPs, real-world brands, characters, trademarks, or music
3. Commercial exploitation, including the sale of “loot boxes” for real-world currency or its in-game equivalent. The sale of virtual currencies, generating revenue via corporate sponsorships or in-game integrations, or the use of cryptocurrencies or crypto assets (e.g., “NFTs”)
4. Making new games, stories, missions, or maps
5. Interfering with official multiplayer or online services, including Grand Theft Auto Online and Red Dead Online

Considering the modders, designers, and developers have been monetizing their work through these servers and giving the users more content to play, the community didn’t take the news lightly. They shared their concerns about the game’s future. 

However, despite what the community has to say, popular modding frameworks including FiveM have updated their terms of service to reflect the new changes. Additionally, they have recommended server owners take the changes into account to continue providing their content. 

While traditional modding frameworks and modders have accepted the updated policy, crypto-centric role-playing servers have yet to share a statement. NFT-powered GTA V role-playing servers like MyMeta and OTF Gaming will be some of the projects that will reportedly be affected.

OTF Gaming, in collaboration with famous hip-hop artist Lil Durk, was set to release the Trenches All-Access Pass NFT collection. The collection would supposedly give users access to a custom GTA RP server, loot boxes, feature new artists on the radio station, and more. 

However, in light of the policy, the gaming collective has ceased all operations on its server. The servers have been taken down as of Sunday until further notice. 

On the Flipside

• Many assume that Lil Durk’s gaming collective’s partnership with Exceed Talent Capital to release an NFT collection could have been the tipping point for Rockstar to update its existing policies. 
• Rockstar’s policy may seem questionable, considering the video game giant has admitted to believing in fan creativity. They had said they wanted creators to showcase their passion for their games. However, they may not want creators to monetize their work as per the new policies.
• Despite the ban, MyMeta is still holding a GTA V NFT giveaway. The NFT-powered RP server has yet to acknowledge the new changes. 

Why You Should Care

Rockstar’s GTAV is undoubtedly one of the most influential games of this era. Despite being released nine years ago, it has remained relevant in the gaming sphere until now. The updated policy and stance toward cryptocurrencies and NFTs may seem questionable. This is especially true when considering Web 3.0 gaming is one of the fastest-growing sectors in gaming. Considering Rockstar’s’ player base, the video game titan could have leveraged profiting off secondary sales and royalties from NFT mods. However, the game studio evidently decided otherwise. 

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