A widely used fan-made VR mod for Cyberpunk 2077 has been taken offline after direct legal action from CD Projekt Red, reigniting long-standing debates around paid mods, intellectual property, and how much control publishers should have over community-driven projects.
The VR modification, developed by prominent VR modder Luke Ross, had been available to players since early 2022. It allowed users to experience Night City entirely in virtual reality, offering a level of immersion that many felt transformed the game. Over time, it became one of the most talked-about VR mods in the PC gaming space, particularly among headset owners looking for deeper single-player experiences.
After nearly four years of public availability, the mod was removed following a DMCA takedown issued by CD Projekt Red. The studio, known for its support of free modding within its ecosystem, made it clear that the issue was not the existence of the mod itself, but how access to it was distributed.
Why the mod was taken down
According to details shared by Ross, the takedown stemmed from the fact that the VR mod was locked behind a paid subscription. While CD Projekt Red has historically embraced free community mods for titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3, monetizing content built on its intellectual property crossed a legal boundary for the company.
Ross addressed the situation in a public post on his Patreon page, explaining that he had been contacted by CD Projekt Red’s legal team and was given little room to negotiate. He stated that the company followed a path similar to other major publishers that have taken action against paid mods in the past.
In his statement, Ross expressed frustration with what he described as an uneven system where modders are expected to invest thousands of hours into projects without any financial return. He argued that his VR framework does not reuse proprietary assets and instead functions as a technical layer that allows games to be viewed in immersive 3D.
Despite his objections, Ross ultimately complied with the takedown request, removing the Cyberpunk 2077 VR mod from public access.
Community reaction and broader implications
The removal of the mod quickly sparked discussion across gaming forums, VR communities, and social media platforms. Many players praised the mod for extending the lifespan of Cyberpunk 2077 and felt that it filled a gap left by the lack of official VR support.
Others pointed out that the situation highlights a familiar tension in the gaming industry. Studios often publicly celebrate modding communities, but legal challenges tend to emerge once money becomes involved. This has been seen before with publishers like Take-Two Interactive, which has taken a strict stance against monetized fan projects.
The timing of the takedown also added to player frustration. The VR gaming space has faced recent setbacks, including Meta’s pullback from VR-focused gaming initiatives following layoffs within its Reality Labs division, as reported by outlets like Digital Trends and other technology publications. For many VR enthusiasts, the loss of a high-quality mod felt like another blow to a platform already struggling to maintain momentum.
Ross continues VR development elsewhere
Although the Cyberpunk 2077 mod is no longer available, Ross has made it clear that he is not stepping away from VR modding altogether. In the same Patreon post, he announced a newly released VR mode for Baldur’s Gate 3, which is also distributed through a paid access model.
This decision suggests that Ross remains committed to funding his work through direct community support, even as legal risks continue to grow around monetized mods tied to major game franchises.
You can read more about Baldur’s Gate 3 and its ongoing success on the official site or through coverage from established gaming outlets like IGN and PC Gamer.
A possible official path forward
While the fan-made mod has been removed, there may still be hope for Cyberpunk 2077 players interested in VR. Flat2VR Studios, a team known for creating officially approved VR adaptations of existing games, has publicly expressed interest in collaborating with CD Projekt Red on a sanctioned VR version of the title.
In a social media post addressed directly to the studio, Flat2VR Studios described Cyberpunk 2077 as one of its dream projects and highlighted its experience delivering award-winning VR ports. If discussions ever move forward, this could open the door to an official VR release that avoids the legal complications faced by independent modders.
For now, the situation serves as another reminder of the fragile balance between creativity, community contribution, and corporate ownership in modern gaming. As long as publishers retain full control over their intellectual property, fan-driven innovation will continue to exist in a space where passion and legal limits frequently collide.
