Nexus Mods Founder Steps Down After 24 Years, Hands Over Site to New Leadership

Image: Nexus Mods

After nearly 24 years of steering the largest modding platform in the world, Robin “Dark0ne” Scott, the founder of Nexus Mods, has officially stepped back from day-to-day management of the site.

In a heartfelt message shared with the community on June 16, Scott explained his decision to sell the platform due to ongoing mental health challenges and burnout.

A Personal Journey That Became a Modding Powerhouse

What started in 2001 as a humble fan site for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind has since evolved into the most influential modding site on the internet, hosting mods for thousands of games and serving over 10 billion downloads. But for Scott, Nexus Mods was never about business ambition—it was a passion project that simply grew beyond anything he could have imagined.

"I didn’t set out to build a business," Scott wrote. "I just wanted to make a place where modders could share their work without worrying it would vanish."

However, over the past two decades, the non-stop demands of maintaining such a massive platform began to weigh heavily on him.

"Every single day, for over two decades, I’ve been 'on call'," he continued. "The strain of being responsible for the behemoth I created has taken its toll."

Scott candidly admitted to battling burnout, anxiety, and stress-related health problems that were starting to affect not only himself but also the Nexus team and the community.

Meet the New Owners

Scott has officially handed the reins to Victor “Foledinho” and Marinus “Rapsak”, two individuals he describes as having deep roots in gaming and tech—but more importantly, a genuine passion for the Nexus Mods community.

“They give a damn; about the site, the community, and the future we’re trying to build here,” Scott emphasized.

He was also quick to reassure the community that this wasn’t a corporate sellout or some behind-the-scenes deal. Instead, it was about prioritizing his own well-being and ensuring that Nexus Mods would be led by people with the energy and vision to continue its legacy.

No Big Changes—Just a Formal Transition

From the users’ perspective, not much will change. Scott had already been stepping back behind the scenes in recent years, and the platform is maintained by a dedicated team of 40 staff members, many of whom have been with Nexus Mods for nearly a decade.

“Nexus Mods is community-first and mod-author focused,” Scott stated. “That’s not up for negotiation.”

The current team and leadership structure remain in place, with Victor and Marinus gradually stepping into more visible roles to lead the site forward.

What’s Next for Dark0ne?

Although stepping away from leadership, Scott isn’t disappearing from the modding scene. He’ll still be “lurking” on the forums, active in Discord, and contributing to the site's direction—just without the round-the-clock responsibility.

“Frankly, that’s a good thing—for me, for the team, and for the future of Nexus Mods.”

Over the past two decades, Nexus Mods has become an irreplaceable part of the PC gaming ecosystem. From enhancing games like Baldur’s Gate 3 to keeping titles like Oblivion alive with fresh content, modders have relied on Nexus as a stable and well-organized platform to share their creativity.

Robin Scott leaves behind a legacy that’s not just about code or downloads—but about building a global creative community. His impact on PC gaming is immeasurable. Here’s to a well-deserved break, Robin—and cheers to the future of Nexus Mods under its new leadership.