June 2025 — The gaming community was recently rocked by revelations surrounding the ownership change of Nexus Mods, one of the world’s largest and most beloved mod-sharing platforms. Following the quiet sale of the site by founder Robin Scott, a wave of concern erupted online when fans uncovered details suggesting the new owners, a company named Chosen, may have been considering controversial monetization tactics—namely, NFTs and microtransactions.
A Silent Shift in Leadership Raises Eyebrows
For the first time in its history, Nexus Mods has changed hands. In an announcement, founder Robin Scott confirmed the sale of the platform but did not disclose the identity of the new owners. This lack of transparency set off alarm bells among the site’s loyal user base. It wasn’t long before curious fans unearthed the buyer’s identity: Chosen, a company previously unknown to much of the gaming world.
NFT Mentions Spark Backlash
Suspicion turned to outrage when users dug deeper into Chosen’s background. According to reporting from PC Gamer, a LinkedIn profile belonging to one of Chosen’s founders made reference to a “Gaming Startup Monetization Cheat Sheet” — a document listing monetization strategies long disliked by gamers, including non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and microtransactions.
The discovery sent shockwaves through the community. Fans feared that the site might soon introduce paid modding features or blockchain integrations—moves that would betray the platform’s long-standing ethos of free, community-driven content.
Official Response Tries to Reassure Community
In response to the growing uproar, one of the new owners—known online by the handle Foledinho—issued a statement via PC Gamer in an attempt to calm the storm. He clarified that mods would not be sold, and that users would not be forced into premium accounts. However, the statement fell short of alleviating all concerns, as it left critical questions unanswered—particularly regarding how the site would be monetized moving forward.
The Legal Gray Area of Mod Monetization
The challenge for Nexus Mods’ new owners lies in the murky legal status of video game mods. While game developers and publishers have largely tolerated free, fan-made modifications, the introduction of monetization complicates matters. Charging money for mods could invite legal action from intellectual property holders, potentially triggering widespread takedowns or lawsuits.
“If money changes hands, publishers pay attention,” noted one industry analyst. “And when they step in, they usually come with lawyers.”
This puts Chosen in a precarious position. To turn a profit, they must explore options like advertising or expanding premium memberships—without crossing the red lines that could provoke backlash from both the industry and the community.
A Missed Opportunity for Transparency
Critics argue that much of the chaos could have been avoided with a more transparent handover. Robin Scott’s decision not to reveal the buyer immediately has drawn criticism from fans who feel blindsided. The secrecy only fueled speculation, prompting the community to investigate—and ultimately distrust—the new ownership.
Uncertain Future for a Community Cornerstone
Nexus Mods has long been a cornerstone of the gaming modding community, known for enabling creative freedom and collaboration among players and developers alike. But now, with questions swirling around its future direction, the site faces one of its most uncertain chapters yet.
For the time being, the new owners insist they’re committed to maintaining the platform’s core values. Whether that reassurance is enough to win back community trust—or whether it’s too late—remains to be seen. As one fan on Reddit put it, “Modding should be about passion, not profit. We’re watching.”
