Summary
Following an outcry from fans, Nexus Mods has taken down a controversialBaldur’s Gate 3mod designed to change the gender of a prominent NPC in a same-sex relationship. The mod in question was part of a larger collection ofBaldur’s Gate 3mods known as the “No Alphabets” mod pack, most of which had already been banned from Nexus prior to this latest removal.
Baldur’s Gate 3features a vast and diverse cast of NPCs, many of whom have compelling personal stories which intersect at various points with the main narrative. Many ofthe most belovedBaldur’s Gate 3NPCsfall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, including the cleric Isobel and her towering Aasimar girlfriend Dame Aylin, whom the player can meet in the game’s second act. Assuming they survive the events of the story, the two holy women serve as powerful allies for the player in their quest to defeat the Absolute.
Unfortunately, it seems that not everyone appreciates thispopularBaldur’s Gate 3power couple. The “Ser Aylin” mod, uploaded to the Nexus Mods platform on December 3 by user Yedlike, attempted to change the gender of Dame Aylin in the game by modifying her character model and altering the sound of her voice using AI tools. The mod was quickly reported by fans for violating Nexus Mods' community guidelines, prompting its removal from the platform a day later, alongside the banning of Yedlike’s account.
The ban was accompanied by an official notice from a Nexus Mods representative, who stated that Yedlike “appears to be a throwaway account created to upload a mod that attempts to skirt our community guidelines.” The notice emphasized Nexus Mods' commitment to principles of inclusivity and diversity, and stated that the site would take action against mods uploaded with “the intent to deliberately be against inclusivity and/or diversity.” While it is far from the only mod-hosting platform available, Nexus Mods is one of the most widely used, hosting some ofthe most popular mods available forBaldur’s Gate 3as well as dozens of other games.
Fans ofBaldur’s Gate 3and its excellent queer representation will no doubt be disappointed that mods like “Ser Aylin” have been created in the first place, but the overwhelmingly negative fan reaction and the swift response by Nexus Mods indicates that the regressive views of the mod’s creator are in the minority among theBaldur’s Gate 3community. The game is widely beloved by those who have played it in the months since its release, makingBaldur’s Gate 3a favorite to win Game of the Yearat the upcoming 2023 Game Awards.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
