Nvidia's Remix platform is breathing new life into classic PC games by enabling modders to remaster beloved titles using cutting-edge RTX technology. This innovative platform allows for the upgrade of DirectX 8 and 9-era games with features like ray tracing, DLSS 4, and realistic textures, inspiring a community of creators to rejuvenate nostalgic favorites. While these mods are not yet fully integrated into platforms like Steam, they are available on ModDB and are part of the growing RTX Remix Mod Contest.

Among the standout projects is "Star Wars: Republic Commando RTX," enhanced with ray-traced lighting and updated textures by modder Chaos007. Another notable mod is "Max Payne RTX," featuring physically-based rendering and improved lighting by Noodle. "Need for Speed: Underground RTX," created by alessandro893, boasts overhauled environments and realistic car reflections. "Portal 2 RTX," remastered by skurtyyskirts, showcases AI-upscaled assets and fully path-traced visuals. Lastly, "Bioshock RTX," a collaborative effort by skurtyyskirts and watbulb, aims to rebuild game assets and boost performance dramatically. These mods, still in development and requiring manual installation, offer an exciting preview of how RTX Remix can rejuvenate classic games for modern gaming PCs.

In the realm of Grand Theft Auto V, a dedicated fan has created an unofficial "lore-friendly GTA 5 remaster" by combining 138 mods into a comprehensive overhaul package. This ambitious mod collection, compiled by YouTube creator Underrated, serves as a temporary fix for players awaiting the delayed release of GTA 6, now expected in May 2026. Notable features include an enhanced police AI system with 18 different departments, a wanted level system that exceeds six stars, and realistic environmental and gameplay effects. Of the 138 mods, 91 are showcased in Underrated’s video, while the rest are detailed in a community-preserved document containing important installation guidelines. These include prerequisites to avoid game crashes, the recommendation to use the legacy edition of GTA 5, and a warning about potential FPS drops due to the modded scripts. This comprehensive mod pack provides fans with an enriched, lore-aligned gameplay experience ahead of the next official installment in the GTA series.

However, gamers should exercise caution, as scammers are increasingly using malware-infected cheats and mods to steal passwords and cryptocurrency. A malware family named "Trojan.Scavenger" disguises itself as third-party game mods and cheats to infect Windows systems. This malware often spreads through ZIP archives claiming to enhance games like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Oblivion Remastered. Once installed, it exploits poor library validation practices in games, triggering malicious code at startup. After compromising a system, the malware connects to command-and-control servers using encrypted channels to evade detection and may deploy additional trojans that infiltrate Chromium-based browsers. These secondary infections modify browser extensions, disable security features, and harvest sensitive data from crypto wallets like MetaMask, Phantom, and Exodus, along with password managers such as Bitwarden and LastPass. To mitigate these risks, users should avoid downloading mods from unverified sources, keep antivirus software current, and be cautious of communities promoting cracked or shady software. Enhanced safety practices include verifying digital signatures, checking file paths, and using restricted user accounts.

In other developments, the modding community continues to thrive with various projects and competitions. For instance, 11 Bit Studios, in collaboration with mod.io, has launched a modding contest for Frostpunk 2, offering modders a chance to influence the game's universe and win part of a $10,000 prize pool. The competition celebrates the growth and creativity of the game's modding community, encouraging users to craft unique stories, mechanics, or imaginative expansions. Participants have until August 22, 2025, to submit their entries via mod.io using the #fp2modcontest tag. Mods will be judged by a panel consisting of 11 Bit developers, mod.io staff, and experienced community modders, with criteria focusing on creativity, playability, and fun. The top prize includes $10,000 and the opportunity to have the mod recognized within the Frostpunk universe. Additional prizes include custom AMD GPUs and 11 Bit merchandise for category winners and honorable mentions. The competition winners will be announced on September 1, 2025.

These developments highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of the gaming modding community, showcasing both the innovative spirit of modders and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing digital landscape.