In this modern era, the media is beginning to open its eyes to more diverse representations, and that includes in the gaming industry. These days, there are a number of greatgames that feature inclusive and LGBTQ+ issues, showing that society is more openly acknowledging that the world could be more accepting of diversity. However, there are still those who push against this. But for all the people that are anti-inclusivity, there are those fighting back for human rights.
TakeNexus Modsas an example. AfterSpider-Man Remasteredreleased on Steamon August 12, the modding community became busy making custom content and uploading it to the site. One modder decided to make it known how they felt about the LGBTQ+ community by swapping out all the game’s pride flags with US ones. Nexus immediately removed the file and banned the user, which created some controversy. In a recent blog post, as spotted by The Gamer, a statement was issued saying that the website will not stand for those who are deliberately “against inclusivity” and action will be taken against it.
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The post goes on to say that, while there’s no way to stop people from creating whatever mods they want, the website has the power to at least keep them off its own database. It also urges those who don’t like the policy to delete their account. WhileNexus Mods has had its own share of controversiesin the past, it is one of the biggest sites in the world where people can download custom PC mods. Being banned from the site for intentionally “trolling” the community with anti-inclusivity files means one less site that hate speech can spread to.
Given the sheer number of add-ons that people upload to Nexus Mods, it can be tricky to monitor all of it. Fortunately, there are tons of mods that are there simply to increase joy in gaming. For example, for every file that promotes exclusion, there are way more interesting ones, such as themod forSpider-Manthat turns players into Stan Leeto honor the late Marvel icon.
The LGBTQ+ community already has a hard time being accepted in gaming. Recently,Twitch streamer Keffals was swatted, and as a trans person, she believes that this was a deliberate attempt to humiliate her. Along with the string of hate raids that have plagued the streaming platform, it seems that there is still a way to go. However, sites likeNexus Modsseem to be taking steps in the right direction.
