A Developer's High-Risk Gamble on Selling a "Cyberpunk 2077" VR Mod to CD Projekt RED Ends in Disaster
Luke Ross, the creator of a popular VR mod that supported "Cyberpunk 2077," thought he had found a way to monetize his software without ruffling any feathers. The mod, which allowed users to experience games in virtual reality without requiring specialized hardware, was available for download through Patreon, with supporters able to access it at various subscription tiers. However, when Ross contacted CD Projekt RED, the game's developer, and offered to license his VR port to them, the response was a DMCA takedown notice.
The move raises questions about the ethics of modding communities making money from their work. While Patreon allows developers to earn revenue without directly charging for mods, it still carries the risk of copyright strikes and takedowns. CD Projekt RED's terms of service explicitly prohibit third parties from using their intellectual property for commercial purposes, including creating and selling paywalled content.
Ross argued that his software was a general VR application, with no code or assets taken directly from CDPR's IP. He drew an analogy between his mod and RivaTuner, a freeware hardware monitoring software that processes game data without infringing on copyrights. However, this argument seems tenuous at best, as the mod still relies heavily on specific engine- and title-related code to function.
The issue highlights the gray areas surrounding EULAs (End User License Agreements) and Terms of Service agreements in the gaming industry. While debates about the restrictions placed on modders are valid, it's hard not to see this situation as a case of someone trying to navigate uncharted territory without doing their due diligence.
In the end, Ross's gamble has backfired spectacularly. After CD Projekt RED removed his mod from Patreon and shared its DMCA notice with other platforms, VR enthusiasts have taken to sharing the software for free, essentially rendering it moot. As Ross himself admitted, "CDPR already got what they wanted" by having their intellectual property rights protected. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of attempting to monetize mods without fully understanding the terms and conditions that govern them.
Luke Ross, the creator of a popular VR mod that supported "Cyberpunk 2077," thought he had found a way to monetize his software without ruffling any feathers. The mod, which allowed users to experience games in virtual reality without requiring specialized hardware, was available for download through Patreon, with supporters able to access it at various subscription tiers. However, when Ross contacted CD Projekt RED, the game's developer, and offered to license his VR port to them, the response was a DMCA takedown notice.
The move raises questions about the ethics of modding communities making money from their work. While Patreon allows developers to earn revenue without directly charging for mods, it still carries the risk of copyright strikes and takedowns. CD Projekt RED's terms of service explicitly prohibit third parties from using their intellectual property for commercial purposes, including creating and selling paywalled content.
Ross argued that his software was a general VR application, with no code or assets taken directly from CDPR's IP. He drew an analogy between his mod and RivaTuner, a freeware hardware monitoring software that processes game data without infringing on copyrights. However, this argument seems tenuous at best, as the mod still relies heavily on specific engine- and title-related code to function.
The issue highlights the gray areas surrounding EULAs (End User License Agreements) and Terms of Service agreements in the gaming industry. While debates about the restrictions placed on modders are valid, it's hard not to see this situation as a case of someone trying to navigate uncharted territory without doing their due diligence.
In the end, Ross's gamble has backfired spectacularly. After CD Projekt RED removed his mod from Patreon and shared its DMCA notice with other platforms, VR enthusiasts have taken to sharing the software for free, essentially rendering it moot. As Ross himself admitted, "CDPR already got what they wanted" by having their intellectual property rights protected. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of attempting to monetize mods without fully understanding the terms and conditions that govern them.
like no way they had to protect their IP at all costs. And yeah, it's kinda shady how he thought he could get away with monetizing his work without CDPR's explicit permission lol. I mean i get where Luke's coming from but he shoulda read the fine print before trying to get all sneaky. It's not just about the code tho, it's about respecting the devs' wishes and boundaries 
Luke Ross thought he could just license his VR mod to CDPR and get away with it? like no one told him about those super strict EULAs and TOS agreements 
. i mean, yeah, the mod was basically a general VR app but still, gotta respect the IP 
. this whole thing is so shady and highlights how complicated it is for devs to navigate the gaming industry 
. kudos to Ross for trying tho 
but i guess he shoulda done more research 
before making that high-risk gamble 
. EULAs can be super unclear, but you gotta know what you're getting into before you try to sell something online 
, sharing the mod for free now 
. I guess Ross learned a valuable lesson that you shouldn't try to make money off someone else's IP without their permission 
.
, can't even make a decent VR mod without getting caught in a mess. This guy Luke Ross thought he was all slick with his Patreon setup, but turns out CD Projekt RED wasn't having it 
.
. the thing is though, cd pr red did kinda have it coming with those super restrictive eulas and terms of service... i mean, who creates an end user license agreement without thinking about how it's gonna affect modders? 
anyways, i guess this is just a cautionary tale for anyone trying to monetize mods without doing their due diligence 
, like who doesn't love a good modded experience every now and then? Ross's gamble was basically just asking for trouble, but at least he tried to navigate the gray area right? The thing is, if you're gonna make money off someone else's IP without permission, you gotta be prepared for the backlash 
. Now VR enthusiasts are all about sharing the software for free, which is kinda cool in a 'I hate being told what I can and can't do' kind of way 
. Kudos to Ross for at least trying, but next time, do your research before making that high-risk gamble 
!
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. Like, Ross had his chance, and he blew it. And yeah, I guess you could say they got what they wanted - protection of their IP 
Those DMCA takedowns can be super scary for devs, and it's not like he didn't know the risks. But still, it's gotta be frustrating when you think you've got a solid plan and it all goes south 
.
It's just another example of how the gaming industry can sometimes be super soul-sucking 
. Ross was trying to draw parallels with RivaTuner, but I think he just made himself look bad 
but also kinda funny? i mean, who wouldn't wanna make some extra cash from their mod, right? but at the same time, cdpr red's all about protecting their IP, and it's cool that they stood firm. it's just a reminder to always read the fine print & do our due diligence when trying to monetize our projects 
but this guy Luke Ross kinda stretched it with his mod, even if he didn't take any direct code from them... or so he claimed 
.