Muted Magic

Anyone who has spent any time playing video games has at least heard of Skyrim. Considered one of Bethesda’s best games, it has captivated millions since its release in 2011. The modding community has kept the game alive by expanding its world in ways the developers never could have imagined. From visual overhauls, game mechanics, and quests, there is no shortage of new content to explore. Custom followers are one of the most popular features that draw people in and back to the world of Skyrim. Follower mods take the game to entire new heights with their intricate backstories, in-depth quests, and diverse personalities. Beneath this community though lies a dark secret: the harassment of female creators.

Over the last six months, the disappearance of female content creators has become painfully noticeable. There is no reliable data on the percentage of modders who identify as female, but within the gaming world, it is a well-accepted truth that women are significantly underrepresented. Their smaller numbers do not diminish their contributions in any way. Many of the most impressive mods to hit the Nexus in the past year have come from women who possess a genuine passion for both modding and playing the game. They’ve crafted characters that transcend mere utility; these followers share in the adventure, enriching the experience with depth and complexity. Yet, when a new female mod appears on the Nexus, it quickly becomes a target for the overly horny. If that mod author happens to be a woman, the atmosphere darkens rapidly.

Venture into the Nexus, find any female follower, and you will encounter a flood of demands for her to be compatible with an array of sex mods. Questions arise about whether the follower is marriageable, alongside a barrage of requests for exaggerated, sexualized replacers for that custom follower. The moment the mod author reveals her gender, the comments and requests become even more insidious. When she declines these overtures or expresses her lack of interest in making that follower romanceable—or worse, states outright that she will not create patches for sexual mods—the harassment begins. Whole threads on forums like Reddit spring up, mocking these women relentlessly. They face vitriol across various social media platforms, and for some, this harassment escalates into doxxing and threats of physical violence.

So why does the broader community remain silent on this issue? Why haven’t established gaming blogs addressed the harassment pervasive within the Skyrim modding community towards female content creators or those from the LGBTQ+ community? While forums like Nexus provide some moderation assistance, much of the harassment remains unchecked. A mod author might be able to delete comments or block individuals, but those measures often fall short. The loss of female content creators sets a troubling precedent for aspiring modders who may be contemplating entering the scene. They witness their favorite creators grappling with mental strain brought on by harassment, enduring name-calling and mockery, which invariably leads to a chilling effect on their own potential projects. Many choose to retreat into silence or hide their creations behind paywalls, limiting access to these new mods to only a select few who can afford it.

The community as a whole must rise up against this harassment. Platforms need stricter policies and better tools for creators to protect themselves from this toxic behavior. Those with influence should leverage their positions to raise awareness about these actions, advocate against them, and strive for greater inclusion within the community. The harassment of female modders isn’t merely a personal issue for those directly affected; it’s a problem that threatens the very fabric of the community itself. Left unaddressed, it will erode the passion and creativity that have made the Skyrim modding scene so special. It’s time for the community to take a stand. No one should have to choose between their love of creating and their safety.

In moments like these, the weight of silence becomes palpable. The laughter and camaraderie that once filled these digital spaces grow distant, overshadowed by the heavy cloak of fear that now hangs over many would-be creators. Each new comment, every mocking thread, feels like a small betrayal—a reminder that the very thing that should unite enthusiasts can sometimes turn against them. And so, creators silently ponder their next steps, wondering if their voices will ever be heard above the chaos, if their passion can survive in such an unforgiving environment.