PC gaming mod hub Nexus Mods is below new possession for the primary time in 24 years as creator Robin “Dark0ne” Scott fingers off the baton for the sake of his psychological well being.
The figurehead of one of many largest gaming websites on the web posted about its subsequent chapter in a message revealed at present. It comes with affirmation that Scott has already formally stepped away from Nexus Mods, “following months of conferences, face-to-face talks, and a complete lot of soul looking out.”
The message retains most of the behind-the-scenes particulars below wraps however says two new people — one named Victor (a.okay.a. Foledinho) and one other named Marinus (a.okay.a. Rapsak) — have adopted the management function, with each of their profiles now bearing the “Web site Proprietor” title. The management change alerts the start of a brand new period for Nexus Mods, and for Scott, a much-needed break.
“The pressure of being accountable for the behemoth I created has taken its toll,” Scott defined. “The stress of the job has been a daily supply of tension and stress-related well being points. I realised that I’ve been burning out and this began to have an effect on my workers and Nexus Mods as a complete. So, I firmly consider that the very best factor for the way forward for Nexus Mods is for me to step apart and herald new management to steer the enterprise ahead with renewed vitality to make Nexus Mods the modding neighborhood all of us really deserve.”
The small venture born in Scott’s bed room for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind ultimately ballooned into an enormous entity within the gaming house. The Nexus Mods About Us web page notes that this beating coronary heart of the PC gaming neighborhood is made up of 63.4 million customers and 16.8 billion file downloads, positioning it as one of the extremely trafficked UK-based web sites on the planet.
As Nexus Mods has grown, so too has its affect on Scott, who has spent “each single day” for greater than 20 years “on name.” Dropping his direct enter within the day-to-day operations of Nexus Mods will certainly end in some adjustments, however Scott assured modders and players alike that the shift shouldn’t be trigger for concern.
“Behind the scenes, I’ve already been stepping again little by little,” Scott clarifies. “Over the previous few years, the staff has taken on extra of the load and the positioning’s been doing higher than ever. What’s altering now could be merely the formality of it, ensuring the proper individuals are in place to information Nexus Mods into the following period.”
Scott says his stepping down from Nexus Mods, in addition to a couple of small structural adjustments, are strikes made to make sure “long-term stability” and gained’t affect how the positioning has been working not too long ago. He goes so far as to say, “Nexus Mods is community-first and mod-author centered, that’s not up for negotiation.”
As Scott steps away from his direct management place, the modding creator says he’ll nonetheless interact with the Nexus Mods neighborhood on its Mod Creator Discord, boards, and extra. He’ll additionally assist information the positioning’s 40-person staff because the web page is turned, relieving his duties as its face and figurehead.
“So sure, the possession of Nexus Mods has modified fingers, however I wish to be clear, this isn’t some company ‘exit’ or a backroom deal,” Scott provides. “That is me doing one thing I most likely ought to’ve performed years in the past: taking good care of myself. Reclaiming some headspace. And eventually letting go of the concept I’ve to do all the pieces and be accountable for all the pieces myself.”
Nexus Mods has housed hundreds of fan-made creations for video games like franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Stardew Valley, Baldur’s Gate, Cyberpunk 2077, and lots of, many extra for many years. Actually, simply moments after The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion shadow-dropped earlier this yr, dozens of minor mods had already been revealed on the positioning. It’s the go-to place for PC players to change their video games to their liking, and with its first change in management in 24 years comes a good quantity of uncertainty for its future.
Michael Cripe is a contract contributor with IGN. He is finest identified for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. You should definitely give him a comply with on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).