Bethesda has removed the Doom mod which turns Margaret Thatcher in to an undead Cyberdemon, this time because it 'disobeyed a ZeniMax Employee'

The Thatcher's Techbase Doom mod is gone again. Bethesda Softworks removed the mod and warned the creators that their accounts could be temporarily or permanently suspended if the continue to push it.

Thatcher's Techbase is a mod that has been available since 2021. It sends old-time Doom gamers into the "tenth circle of Hell"--the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Northern Ireland--to put down a resurrected Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher was one of the most controversial Prime Ministers in UK history (outside of diehard Conservative circles). Thatcher's Techbase was made available for the first time on non-PC platforms in August, following the release the "new" Doom + Doom 2 package that allows modders to share work directly in game, among other things. Mod author Jim Purvis, who created the mod, was clearly excited.

The scuffle began shortly thereafter. The mod was removed from official distribution after someone reported it for "real-world political content." Purvis was not deterred and reworked his mod, redacting its title and theatrically censoring any appearances of Thatcher. Staff writer Harvey Randall described it as "an utter masterpiece in malicious compliance" that managed to be even more biting than the original.

As he pointed out, it was also "a giant middle-finger to Bethesda’s staunchly political stance" and it appears that Bethesda has no sense of humor when it comes to these things. Bethesda removed #######'# techbase just a day after it was re-released. They also added an "official warning".

Purvis shared a new takedown notice that stated: "This mod, #######'#Techbase, has either been reported or has been reported multiple times for a Code of Conduct infraction; real-world politics, and intentionally disobeying ZeniMax employees. It has been removed." "This account has received an official warning as a result."

"Further violation of our Terms of Service could result in a temporary suspension, or even permanent deletion of your Account." Please take a moment to review the Terms of Service, and Code of Conduct. You must acknowledge these terms to be able to participate in Bethesda.net.

All of this seems strange to me. Bethesda did not have any problem with "real world politics" in the Wolfenstein series, and the Fallout games are built around real-world fears about nuclear Armageddon with a healthy dose American imperialism.

Thatcher's Techbase looks like a silly, absurd cartoon. What is it that takes it over the edge? I won't argue this take on Thatcher, but it is hardly a fringe feeling: Let's not forget that Thatcherism left a bad taste in the mouths of some people:

Some followers have also noted the "deliberately ignoring a ZeniMax Employee" part of this notice. This is for them the real icing.

Purvis hasn’t indicated if he will continue to try his luck with More Thatcher's Techbase Reworks, but I imagine this is the final: Bethesda must be keeping an eye out on the mod and will no doubt drop the heavy hammer as a response to further fooling about. He also said "The charges will not stick, I'll defeat the allegations," so, who knows? Either way, the good news for PC players is that Thatcher's Techbase remains available in its original, slightly-less-convenient format at thatchers-techbase.github.io.