Nexus Mods expands its influence by acquiring SteamDB and releasing new Unreal Engine modding tools, while Capcom strips Denuvo from Dragon's Dogma 2.
Today’s PC gaming news is primarily about the strategic moves by Nexus Mods, alongside significant updates from Capcom and concerns from the team at Bethesda. Nexus Mods is making headlines with its acquisition of the community site SteamDB and the release of open-source modding tools, reflecting a clear intention to broaden its impact in the modding community.
Nexus Mods and SteamDB
In an unexpected move, Nexus Mods has acquired SteamDB, a widely used platform for tracking game metrics and updates on Steam. As reported by GamingOnLinux, this acquisition could bolster Nexus Mods’ presence in the PC gaming community by integrating its modding resources with SteamDB’s comprehensive data services. The implications of this merger could be significant, potentially offering modders and gamers more streamlined access to game analytics and modding capabilities.
Unreal Engine Modding Tools
Nexus Mods isn’t stopping at acquisitions; they’ve also released “streamlined” open-source tools to enhance Unreal Engine modding. According to RockPaperShotgun, these tools aim to simplify the modding process for games like “The Blood of Dawnwalker,” a new RPG from Rebel Wolves. This initiative seems designed to attract a wider range of modders by reducing the technical barriers typically associated with creating mods in Unreal.
Capcom Updates and DRM
Capcom has made a notable update by removing the much-criticized Denuvo DRM from “Dragon’s Dogma 2,” ahead of the “Dark Arisen” expansion. The removal, covered by both GamingOnLinux and PCGamesN, is a response to ongoing player complaints about performance issues attributed to Denuvo. Although it’s unclear if another DRM will replace it, the change is widely seen as a win for players interested in better game performance.
Bethesda Staff Concerns
Meanwhile, at Bethesda Game Studios, there is unrest among staff following Microsoft’s recent layoffs. RockPaperShotgun reports on concerns that these staffing cuts may impact the quality of future Elder Scrolls and Fallout projects. Veteran developers speculate that the loss of experienced staff could hinder the development processes traditionally expected of the studio’s flagship franchises.
This roundup shows that while some parts of the industry, such as Nexus Mods, are actively expanding and innovating, others like Bethesda are dealing with significant challenges that could affect game development quality in the future.
