Gaming enthusiasts were taken aback when Nintendo issued takedown notices to Garry’s Mod, a popular sandbox game that has been a hub for user-generated content for over two decades. Facepunch Studios, the developers behind Garry’s Mod, are now tasked with removing approximately 20 years’ worth of Nintendo-related content from the game.

In a recent update on Garry’s Mod’s Steam page, the developers addressed the situation, acknowledging the removal of certain Nintendo-related workshop items. They emphasized that these takedowns were at the behest of Nintendo and were not accidental.

The developers stated, ‘Honestly, this is fair enough. This is Nintendo’s content and what they allow and don’t allow is up to them. They don’t want you playing with that stuff in Garry’s Mod – that’s their decision, we have to respect that and take down as much as we can.’

While Nintendo is known for its protective stance on its intellectual property, the sudden enforcement of the takedowns surprised many. Nintendo-themed content has been a staple in Garry’s Mod for nearly two decades, with models of popular Nintendo characters like Mario being available for players to enjoy. The Source engine’s flexibility in Garry’s Mod contributed significantly to the game’s appeal, especially during the early 2010s when gaming influencers popularized multiplayer games like Prop Hunt and Trouble In Terrorist Town.

It appears that the removal of Nintendo-themed add-ons began several months ago, although Facepunch Studios only made the public announcement recently. The developers are actively working to comply with Nintendo’s requests and eliminate all infringing content from the game.