In a shocking turn of events, Nexus Mods, the largest online hub for video game mods, has officially announced a change in ownership after an impressive 24 years under founder Dark0ne’s leadership.

With a staggering library of over 716,500 mods for nearly 3,800 games, Nexus Mods has been a crucial platform for gamers seeking to enhance their gaming experience. However, in a heartfelt blog post, Dark0ne revealed that stress-related health issues have prompted his decision to step down.

A New Era Begins

"After years of driving myself to burnout, it's time for new leadership to steer Nexus Mods forward," Dark0ne confessed. He introduced the new owners—Victor, Marinus, and Nikolai—as the team that will take the reins, assuring users that not much will change initially.

However, curiosity among the community was piqued. Users began to investigate the new owners, leading to discoveries about the trio’s affiliation with a growth-oriented gaming company called Chosen.

Concerns Over Monetization

These revelations have sent waves of concern through the modding community. Users are apprehensive about the potential for monetization changes under Chosen's leadership, especially considering prior comments made by Victor Folmann advocating for in-app purchases and sponsorships.

In a LinkedIn post, Folmann included a controversial monetization "cheat sheet" that listed play-to-earn models, causing some to worry about the preservation of Nexus Mods’ community-centric philosophy. Although he later claimed that introducing NFTs or cryptocurrency would "kill the culture and community," skepticism remains.

A Connection to eSports

Adding another layer of intrigue, Nikolaj, one of the new owners, is known for his role in the Danish version of Dragon's Den and as a founder of the esports team Astralis. His recent ventures have raised eyebrows, especially with Astralis reportedly seeking buyers amid challenging times.

As concern looms, the gaming community is left to ponder what changes the new ownership might bring. Will Chosen preserve the core values of the beloved Nexus Mods, or will it steer the platform towards a monetization model that could alienate dedicated modders? The stakes are high as Chosen prepares to navigate this crucial juncture.