GTA V modding tool OpenIV is back

Great news for GTA V modders. A couple of weeks after its shutdown, OpenIV modding tool is again available for download. OpenIV creators promise the development will be continued soon.

The popular tool used for modding Grand Theft Auto games, OpenIV, is available again. OpenIV creators haven’t shared any official updates on the matter, but you can download the program on its website once more. Kotaku has learned that “the development of OpenIV will be continued soon”. Besides, Rockstar has posted a note regarding single-player mods in the FAQ section:

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.

It basically means that single-player mods for GTA V and GTA IV will continue to appear, but Take-Two won’t allow messing with GTA Online or using its intellectual property to, let’s say, recreate Red Dead Redemption in GTA V.

A couple of weeks ago Take-Two sent a Cease-and-Desist letter to OpenIV creators, in which the company stated that the tool would “allow third parties to defeat security features of its software and modify that software in violation of Take-Two's rights”. Rockstar then supported that claim, adding that OpenIV “enables recent malicious mods that allow harassment of players and interfere with the GTA Online experience for everybody”. This resulted in OpenIV shutdown, which players obviously didn’t take to. One way in which they expressed their dissatisfaction was by massively down-voting GTA V on Steam.