GTA 5 Modding Tool OpenIV Returns After Rockstar Gives Green Signal

The controversial stance of Take-Two interactive against OpenIV has taken a new turn. in the latest statement, Rockstar Games has released a new statement on modding in GTA 5 focusing mainly on the single player modding.

The new statement comes after Take-Two’s aggressive move against OpenIV in which the developer of the modding tool was forced down its services after receiving a cease and desist letter. as a result, the community was enraged and filled the GTA 5 steam with negative reviews. they also made a petition on Change.Org which collected more than 75,000 signatures.

Rockstar on their official website added a post concerning the Single Player mod on PC with a topic are Single players PC mods allowed? the answer given by them is as followed below

Rockstar Games believes in reasonable fan creativity, and, in particular, wants creators to showcase their passion for our games. After discussions with Take-Two, Take-Two has agreed that it generally will not take legal action against third-party projects involving Rockstar’s PC games that are single-player, non-commercial, and respect the intellectual property (IP) rights of third parties. This does not apply to (i) multiplayer or online services; (ii) tools, files, libraries, or functions that could be used to impact multiplayer or online services, or (iii) use or importation of other IP (including other Rockstar IP) in the project. This is not a license, and it does not constitute endorsement, approval, or authorization of any third-party project. Take-Two reserves the right to object to any third-party project, or to revise, revoke and/or withdraw this statement at any time in their own discretion. This statement does not constitute a waiver of any rights that Take-Two may have with respect to third-party projects.

After the statement was released Yuriy “Good-NDS” Krivoruchko the man behind OpenIV updated the software immediately with a special note for Rockstar which says “special thanks to Rockstar Games” to appreciate their efforts in bringing back the mod back to the community. the software is updated on 23 June 2017 with a new Build 907.

Although the single player mod is back OpenIV may still face problem in future as according to statement the company won’t take legal action against those modders who don’t violate the intellectual rights listed in the statement. but the statement is not a license and Take-Two still reserve the rights to take action against any modders they want.

One of the rules which seem pretty troublesome is the modifying of files should not impact online. OpenIV works on the principle of modifying the files though it has nothing to do with online gameplay. it is speculated that somehow people are using it to disrupt other users experience online which is not the intent of the OpenIV developers. hope the new updated to the software does something about it.

Anyways Kudos to the community for their efforts of being a voice for OpenIV. Thanks to them Take-Two and Rockstar Games have returned one of the biggest modding tool.