The specific criticisms being directed at Starfield's new Creations mod hub are primarily focused on the presence of paid mods and the use of a premium currency, Credits. Some players feel that the paid mods are overpriced and that the mod hub is a "scam" or a "cash-grab" in the guise of a way to fix an otherwise empty game. The community is also divided over the concept of charging money for mods, which has been a topic of debate and controversy in the gaming world for years. Additionally, some players are unhappy with the mod hub being integrated into the game, as they believe it should be a separate download.
The Creations mod hub introduced by Bethesda for Starfield is a modding platform that offers both free and paid mods from both Bethesda and community members2. It was launched on June 9, 2024, and provides easy access to official and community-based mods, adding a much-needed variety to the game2. The mods available on the Creations mod hub range from new missions, gear, skins, weapons, and more1. Players can also find Bethesda Game Studios Creations, including new quest DLC such as the Trackers Alliance missions14.
However, many of these mods come at a steep cost, with some costing as much as seven dollars for a single NPC bounty target. This has led to a mixed reception from the gaming community, with some fans criticizing the paid mods as a cash-grab. Despite this, there are also many great free mods available, and the community mods have been a welcome addition to the game overall2.
The introduction of paid mods in Starfield's mod hub has led to a negative reception on platforms like Steam. Many players are review-bombing the game due to the presence of paid mods. The game's recent review status on Steam is currently "Mostly Negative," with many reviews criticizing the paid mods and calling them a "scam" or a "big no" for them. Some players are also unhappy with the high prices of the mods, considering the base game is already $70. Despite the addition of free community mods, the overall sentiment on Steam is negative due to the paid mods and the perceived lack of content in the base game.