Rockstar Games Provide Official Statement Regarding GTAOnline & Red Dead Online Roleplay Servers

Over the past few years there has been extreme controversy around the modding community with both Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto Online, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online. It has always been a thing of the past where Rockstar Games release a new title and straight away the modding community get hard to work on being able to produce content such as licences vehicles, map expansions, scripts and more for the single-player element of the games. This never use to be an issue, however over time Take-Two have struck many developers of mods by issuing DMCA notices. 

Last year, an in-development mod called GTA Underground which was designed to combine all of the 3D Era game maps into one playable game, was struck down by Take-Two meaning they had to cease development. It almost felt as though anything which the modding community did, even for single-player, was frowned upon. GTA Underground, along with many other mods created were taken down and left players wondering where they stood with modding Rockstar’s titles, including the popular Roleplay servers which relies heavily on modded content to provide that realistic, roleplay atmosphere. 

Today though, via Rockstar Support, the company have released a statement regarding Roleplay servers including the use of modifications for the game. This is what they had to say to the question “Are Roleplay Servers allowed?”:

“Rockstar Games has always believed in reasonable fan creativity and wants creators to showcase their passion for our games. Third party “Roleplay” servers are an extension of the rich array of community-created experiences within Grand Theft Auto that we hope will continue to thrive in a safe and friendly way for many years to come.

As such, Take-Two’s legal enforcement policy will be aligned with our current PC Single-Player mods policy, with priority in enforcement actions focused on: (i) misuse of Rockstar Games trademarks or game intellectual property (IP); (ii) importation or misuse of other IP in the project, including other Rockstar IP, real-world brands, characters, trademarks or music; (iii) 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”); (iv) making new games, stories, missions, or maps; or (v) interfering with our official multiplayer or online services, including Grand Theft Auto Online and Red Dead Online.

This is not a license, and it does not constitute endorsement, approval, or authorization of any third-party project. Take-Two reserves the right to object to any third-party project, or to revise, revoke and/or withdraw this statement at any time in their own discretion. This statement does not constitute a waiver of any rights that Take-Two may have with respect to third-party projects.”

~ via Rockstar Support Website

It’s great to see that Rockstar Games support the Roleplay Community, and that somewhere along the line they have had discussions with Take-Two Interactive on their legal enforcement policy. Hopefully this is the start of a positive path for the modding community and that going forward some of the projects that were ceased can continue in the future.