Rockstar bans users of FiveM multiplayer mod, claims it can “facilitate piracy”

Rockstar have been swinging around the ban-hammer again, this time in the direction of unofficial GTA V multiplayer mod FiveM. The creator of the mod, along with two members of the mod’s community, have been hit with Social Club suspensions that lock them out of Grand Theft Auto V and other Rockstar games.



The ban has hit mod creator NTAuthority, and two prominent members of the community: sub-reddit moderator Qaisjp and TheDeadlySutchi who helped out with support. Qaisjp outlined the event on reddit, noting that he and TheDeadlyDutchi were “banned within two minutes of each other”.

The FiveM community have understandably been upset by the suspension. The mod isn’t a multiplayer mod in the traditional sense of the idea - it does not change Grand Theft Auto Online. Instead, it creates a separate multiplayer environment that does not interfere with Rockstar’s own, where custom levels and mods can be used. As such, it is felt that the mod and the use of it does not breach GTA V’s EULA. Rockstar have always been clear that mods that did not affect GTA Online would not be punished.

In a statement sent to PCGamesN though, Rockstar explained that the mod does in fact breach their terms of service: “The FiveM project is an unauthorized alternate multiplayer service that contains code designed to facilitate piracy. Our policy on such violations of our terms of service are clear, and the individuals involved in its creation have had their Social Club accounts suspended.”

Despite this, Qaisjp still maintains that “using single player modifications will not get you banned, including the use of FiveM”. Considering the strong wording of Rockstar’s official statement though, it would appear that using FiveM is a potential route to getting yourself suspended. Only the three affiliated users have been affected so far though, so you may be inclined to risk it.