Trying to turn the horse girls into inappropriate content has always been a risky move for Cygames, but some modders insist on inviting legal trouble. The company decided to strongly remind that it will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone creating or distributing explicit or nudity-altering mods for Uma Musume Pretty Derby.

This firm stance goes beyond simple server moderation. Each game protagonist is inspired by a real Japanese racehorse, requiring Cygames to negotiate permissions and licenses with the animals’ owners to use their names and stories. A key part of this deal is protecting the public image of these horses at all costs, excluding any explicit, grotesque, or violent content.

Despite official community guidelines banning these practices since 2021, files designed to remove character clothing in the PC version still circulate online. Cygames stressed that modifying the game client directly violates the terms of service and threatens license continuity. While some content creators have resisted removing their files, the company made it clear this isn’t about arbitrarily stifling creativity, but a strict rule essential for the project’s survival.

Developed by Cygames, Uma Musume Pretty Derby is a massive phenomenon in mobile and PC gaming, transforming legendary racehorses into anime girls with superhuman athletic abilities. Along with successful anime seasons, the franchise maintains a strong connection with Japan’s horse racing industry, requiring the highest image standards to attract new virtual athletes.

Do you think Cygames is right to protect real horses’ images by banning these mods, or should the PC community have more freedom?