Total War: Warhammer III Mod Creator Breaks Mod in Protest Against AI Repacks

Unauthorized AI-generated mods for SFO: Grimhammer III have recently begun to appear.

The creator of one of the most popular mods for the grand strategy game Total War: Warhammer III recently broke it intentionally so that it would not work with unauthorized reuploads.

The project in question is SFO: Grimhammer III (or Simply Fun Overhaul: Grimhammer III), a massive mod that has been in development for nearly ten years. It revamps every aspect of Total War: Warhammer III to bring the game closer to the Warhammer lore and universe. The mod includes changes to the campaign, battles, and many other elements.

AI technologies are developing rapidly, and in recent weeks, some individuals have started actively using artificial intelligence to create add-on mods for SFO: Grimhammer III. These tools made it possible to use the project with updated versions of the game.

Developer Venris took notice and issued a statement. He explained that he did not grant permission for such practices and urged people to support real modders instead of 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 broken 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.

Image source: SFO Mod Team

The modder reminded everyone that SFO: Grimhammer is the result of “nearly 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 purposes related to AI. 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.

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