This is an easy one! Mods and modding in this FAQ refers directly to MCC modding.

In this FAQ what does Mods or Modding refer to?

At this time no, we will continue to evaluate the desire to support this and keep an open mind toward the future.

I like making money for mods I build. Is selling my mods or being paid for them allowed?

Anything contained within MCC is allowed to be used for modding efforts.

Are any and all assets such as music, textures, as well as models from previous (and future) Halo games allowed to be used in mods?

This is defined clearly in the Competing Service section of the EULA.

In the EULA, it mentioned “No competing services” what does this mean?

Only the assets contained within the retail version of MCC are allowed for use in modding efforts.

Can MCC mods use assets from other 343 Industries games, or Microsoft products?

You are allowed to use whatever legally obtained tools you have at your disposal to create mods for MCC. We are planning to release updated tools for several titles that should largely be able to do what you’ll need in order to successfully mod some of the games in MCC. We will continue to update as feedback is received. We also plan to set up a git repository where the community will be open to improve some of the tools in the future. We will share more information around this as we get closer to having it ready.

Do we have to use a specific program or tool to make our mods? Are we still allowed to use HEK, Assembly, Reclaimer, or other tools readily available?

You would need to provide irrefutable proof that you created the assets and that you have express permission to use the likeness, style, etc of what you’re trying to create. Remember, it’s not just about creating something from scratch but many of these popular IP’s also have very clear guidelines about what is and is not OK to use in the recreation of their properties. Even if you can prove that it’s 100% yours and you have explicit permission to use, we will always reserve the right to pull content out of the modding ecosystem as outlined in the EULA.

Is there any type of content that isn’t allowed?

When we are modding, is pineapple allowed?

As long as those assets are your original creations and can be proven as so, they are fine to use. If they are from the base game that is not MCC they cannot be used.

Can we port assets, maps, and sounds from Halo Online or the Eldewrito mod?

If the developer has given explicit open permission in an open and verifiable forum then yes, these would be useable. If they have only given you permission to use them, we would need to be able to verify that with the creator and also verify their intended permission goes beyond just your own personal use – once it’s a mod, it’s out there for everyone and then would also transfer useability to us. It’s a very complicated path and if its unable to be proven, we reserve the right to remove them as outlined in the EULA.

If this EULA says “No assets from other games” but the developer of the game who owns those assets has given you explicit permission, is it allowed?

Archiving assets from flights for future use is against our terms of service for flighting. We highly value everyone’s feedback during the flighting process but sometimes items are pulled for reasons outside of them just not being ready. In doing this you could be potentially opening yourself up to legal action. There is potential for us to release “unreleased” assets like this in the future that have been vetted and will be available for open use in modding.

Say a flight features a new model or gun. Then this model or gun never makes it to release. Can we take that and add it via mods?

The details for this are outlined clearly in the Ownership of Our Game and Other Things section of the EULA.

Who owns my mods?

If you have downloaded a mod and played with it, but it is later deemed to break the EULA, it will not apply to you. However, if you take it, modify it, and replace it – you are then complicit and actions can be taken against your account. If you think it breaks the EULA, chances are it does.

If I use a mod that has been found to be breaking the EULA, am I also breaking the EULA? Will I get banned?

As outlined above, any content that is part of the released version of MCC can be used in modding.

Can content from older builds of the game be re-used/added back?

We will work with that individual to take it down in a case like this rather than blanket banning.

If something isn’t mentioned in the EULA, but is against it later down the line, will someone who was unaware be punished for the mod/have to take it down?

While we do plan to facilitate an ecosystem for mods within Steam Workshop, you are free to share your mods as you see fit.