How Orespawn's Mod Creator Went Insane

Summary

The video script recounts the rise and fall of the 'Or Spawn' Minecraft mod, created by Richard Clark, a 60-something software engineer. Initially popular for its unique features like 'interactable girlfriends', the mod gained fame through YouTubers' series. However, Clark's refusal to comply with Microsoft's user license agreement and subsequent controversies, including a failed standalone game, aggressive behavior on Discord, and political rants, led to the mod's discontinuation. Despite a brief attempt to update the mod in 2019, a GoFundMe failure and backlash from the community resulted in the mod's permanent cancellation and Clark's retreat from the Minecraft scene.

Takeaways

• 🕹️ The Spawn mod was once a very popular Minecraft mod, featured in many YouTubers' videos and amassing millions of views.
• 📅 The mod was initially released on Planet Minecraft on April 17, 2013, offering additional features like ores, weapons, dimensions, and unique mobs and bosses.
• 👨‍💻 The mod was created by Richard Clark, known as 'they call me danger', a software engineer in his 60s with a history of coding.
• 💬 Richard's controversial comments in the mod description hinted at later issues, including his views on mod ownership and control.
• 📈 The mod quickly gained popularity, with over 1,500 downloads within a month and YouTube series featuring it garnering over 150 million views.
• 🛑 Richard stopped updating the mod in 2014 and refused to sell his 'soul to the devil', referring to Microsoft's User License Agreement (ULA) for Minecraft mods.
• 🔄 Attempts by fans to port the mod to newer versions of Minecraft were met with cease and desist orders from Richard, showing his protective stance on the mod's IP.
• 💻 Richard attempted to convert the mod's fan base to a standalone game called 'Danger Zone', which did not succeed due to its lack of appeal outside the Minecraft modding community.
• 📉 The mod gradually faded into obscurity without updates, until a resurgence of interest in Minecraft mods in 2019 led to calls for an update.
• 💰 In response to fan requests, Richard set up a GoFundMe page to fund the mod's update, but it was met with little support and was eventually cancelled due to lack of funds and backlash.
• 🚫 Richard's behavior on his Discord server, including doxing attempts and controversial political statements, led to the termination of the server by Discord and the cancellation of the mod update.
• 📜 The current state of the Spawn mod is that it's no longer available for download, with Richard leaving a final message on his website dismissing any further rights to the mod.

Q & A

What was the original purpose of the Spawn mod for Minecraft?

The Spawn mod was created as an all-around extension of Minecraft, adding extra ores, weapons, different dimensions, new mobs, bosses, and notably, interactable girlfriends, at a time when the game had fewer features.

Who was the original creator of the Spawn mod?

The Spawn mod was originally created and uploaded by an account called 'they call me danger,' better known by his actual name Richard Clark.

Why did Richard Clark, the creator of the Spawn mod, eventually stop updating the mod?

Richard Clark stopped updating the Spawn mod due to his disagreement with Microsoft's User License Agreement (ULA), which he felt allowed them to take or steal content from mod creators.

What was Richard Clark's reaction to the idea of selling his mod to Microsoft?

Richard Clark refused to sell his mod to Microsoft, comparing it to selling his soul to the devil and expressing his disdain for the company's policies regarding mod content.

What was the name of the standalone game Richard Clark developed after abandoning the Spawn mod?

Richard Clark developed a standalone game called 'Danger Zone,' which was intended to be a knockoff version of Minecraft with the aim of converting Spawn's fan base.

Why did Richard Clark's standalone game, Danger Zone, not succeed?

Danger Zone did not succeed because it failed to attract the Minecraft audience, who were more interested in mods that could be paired with other Minecraft mods for a unique experience.

What was the controversy surrounding the mod 'Insanity Craft' and Richard Clark?

Insanity Craft was a mod meant to be a spiritual successor to Spawn, but Richard Clark reportedly sent a cease and desist letter to its creator, forcing the project to shut down.

What was the reason behind Richard Clark's decision to cancel the update of the Spawn mod in 2019?

Richard Clark canceled the update of the Spawn mod after facing backlash and hate from the community, especially after a GoFundMe campaign failed to reach its goal and he perceived people as being stingy with their money.

What were some of the issues that occurred on Richard Clark's Discord server?

The Discord server had numerous issues, including mass reporting of websites hosting the old mod, a banned words list that included political terms, and an attempt by Richard Clark to dox a member who leaked an early build of the mod.

What was the final message Richard Clark posted on his website regarding the Spawn mod?

Richard Clark posted a message stating that the Spawn mod on Minecraft was no longer available, taken down, and done with, and that no one has any rights to it.

What has been the status of Richard Clark's website and YouTube channel after the controversy?

After the controversy, Richard Clark's website and YouTube channel underwent frequent changes, including random anti-political propaganda and links to right-wing streamers, indicating a shift in focus from the Minecraft community.