Recently, the creator of one of the most popular mods for the global strategy game Total War: Warhammer III intentionally broke it so that it would not work with “unauthorized reuploads.”
We are talking about the SFO: Grimhammer III project (or S.imply F.un O.verhaul: Grimhammer III) — this massive mod has been created for almost ten years. It reworks every aspect of Total War: Warhammer III, “making the game closer to the lore and the Warhammer universe.” The mod includes changes to the campaign, battles, and many other elements.
AI technologies are rapidly developing, and in recent weeks, some people have actively started creating additional mods for SFO: Grimhammer III using artificial intelligence. With their help, it was possible to use the project with updated versions of the game.
The developer Venris noticed this and made a statement. He said that he did not give permission for such actions and also urged to support real modders, not AI:
Due to the growing number of unauthorized reuploads of SFO: Grimhammer III and, more importantly, the use of AI in this process, I have intentionally damaged the mod so that it will not work as part of such unauthorized projects. If the situation continues to escalate, I will make SFO: Grimhammer III private.
The modder reminded that SFO: Grimhammer is the result of “almost ten years of passion and love for this community and fantasy world”:
Therefore, I do not allow anyone to take my work without permission. And especially — to use it for AI-related purposes. Support modders, not AI. When the update is ready, it will, as always, be released on Steam. Nowhere else. SFO mods have been, are, and always will be free for everyone as long as I am doing this. Nothing will be locked behind a paywall.