VR Modder Halts All Mods Amid Dual Publisher DMCA Strikes

The creator behind one of the most popular VR modding frameworks for modern games has been forced to halt all operations following legal pressure from multiple publishers. Luke Ross, known for his R.E.A.L. VR mods that convert flat-screen games into immersive virtual reality experiences, has paused his Patreon page and pulled access to his entire library of modifications.

This drastic measure comes after Ross received a second DMCA strike, this time from publisher 505 Games concerning his VR conversion of Ghostrunner. The move follows a previous strike from CD Projekt Red regarding his Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod, creating a legal crisis that has left the modding community without access to dozens of popular conversions.

Ross's Patreon page, which reportedly generated approximately $20,000 per month, now displays a stark warning to potential subscribers. The page explicitly states that "for the moment there will be no benefits available," effectively locking down access to over 40 different game conversions that were previously available to paying supporters.

The shutdown was triggered by a DMCA takedown notice from 505 Games targeting the Ghostrunner VR mod. According to Ross, Patreon automatically complied with the notice, removing the content. This followed an earlier action from CD Projekt Red, which issued a strike against the Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod.

In response to the escalating legal threats, Ross has taken preemptive measures to protect his account:

• Removed all versions of his mods from public access
• Deleted posts related to development work
• Extended existing subscriptions by one month without charge
• Paused all new subscription benefits indefinitely

"I'm making unavailable all versions of the mods and also all the posts related to the wonderful work we have done here together for years, so that there will be no ground for further claims," Ross explained to subscribers.

The conflict centers on a fundamental disagreement about the nature of Ross's work. CD Projekt Red issued its strike because the Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod was a paid modification, which violates the company's fan content guidelines.

We never allow monetization of our IP without our direct permission and/or an agreement in place. We were in touch with Luke last week and informed him that he needs to make it free for everyone (with optional donations) or remove it.

Jan Rosner, VP of Business Development at CD Projekt Red, emphasized that the company supports modding but draws a firm line at commercialization. "We are big fans of mods to our games — some of the work out there has been nothing short of amazing, including Luke’s mod for Cyberpunk 2077. We’d be happy to see it return as a free release," Rosner stated.

Ross, however, disputes the characterization of his software as fan content. He argues that his VR framework is independent software that does not incorporate any copyrighted code or assets from the games it supports.

I'm sorry but I don't believe you are within your rights in demanding that my software needs to be free. It is not 'derivative work' or 'fan content': it supports a large number of games which were built upon different engines, and it contains absolutely zero code or assets from your IP.

Ross has been vocal about what he perceives as an imbalance in DMCA law, which he claims gives "infinite power to big companies." He notes that publishers need only to assert belief of copyright infringement to trigger takedown notices, while creators face significant legal costs to challenge these claims in court.

The modder also revealed that his Patreon account is now under threat of termination due to repeated strikes, forcing him to avoid posting any material that could trigger further claims. This has resulted in a complete lockdown of his content distribution channel.

Adding to the controversy, Ross mentioned that people have begun pirating his Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod to "punish" him for breaking CD Projekt's terms of service. He also addressed criticism regarding his earnings, noting that the $20,000 monthly figure has attracted negative attention.

Regarding the possibility of making the Cyberpunk 2077 mod free to comply with CD Projekt's terms, Ross indicated it would be a significant technical challenge. His software framework supports over 40 games across various engines, making a standalone version for a single title a "non-trivial task."

The shutdown affects a dedicated community of virtual reality enthusiasts who relied on Ross's conversions to experience popular games in immersive VR. His R.E.A.L. VR mods have been praised for transforming titles like Elden Ring, Days Gone, and Far Cry into full VR experiences.

Ross expressed frustration that his work, which he estimates required months of development time valued at approximately $50,000, is being scrutinized despite being financed entirely by voluntary contributions from passionate gamers. He noted that this investment represents a "tiny fraction" of what major publishers would spend to officially port games to VR.

The situation has sparked broader discussions within the gaming community about the future of mod monetization and the rights of independent developers to profit from their technical innovations. Many in the community have expressed support for Ross, while others side with publishers protecting their intellectual property.

Despite the setback, Ross remains hopeful about finding a resolution. "Hopefully we'll find a way together, in the next few weeks," he told subscribers, though he acknowledged the possibility that this chapter might be closing.

The conflict between Luke Ross and major publishers highlights the complex intersection of intellectual property rights, fan creativity, and commercial innovation in the gaming industry. As virtual reality technology continues to evolve, the demand for high-quality conversions of popular games will likely persist.

For now, Ross's entire library of VR modifications remains inaccessible, leaving the community to await potential developments. The outcome of this dispute could set important precedents for how publishers approach mod monetization and whether independent developers can legally profit from their technical enhancements of existing games.

Whether Ross will eventually release his mods for free or find another path forward remains uncertain, but the situation underscores the ongoing challenges facing the modding community in navigating publisher policies and legal frameworks.