Did Twitch Sell CurseForge to Overwolf? A Deep Dive into the Modding World’s Ownership Shuffle

Yes, Twitch did indeed sell CurseForge to Overwolf in mid-2020. This marked a significant shift in the modding landscape, moving one of the largest repositories of game modifications under new management. Let’s delve into the details of this acquisition, the reasons behind it, and what it means for gamers and mod creators alike.

The Story Behind the Acquisition

CurseForge’s journey has been a winding one. Founded in 2006, it quickly became a central hub for modifications, add-ons, and custom content for a wide variety of games, most notably Minecraft, World of Warcraft, and The Sims. Its success led to its acquisition by Curse Media, which itself was acquired by Twitch (owned by Amazon) in 2016.

However, in December 2018, Twitch sold Curse Media (which included the Gamepedia wiki farm and D&D Beyond) to Fandom. The CurseForge platform was kept by Twitch at the time.

The decision to sell CurseForge to Overwolf in 2020 seemed to stem from Twitch’s desire to streamline its focus on its core streaming platform and its primary priorities. While Twitch recognized the value of CurseForge within the gaming ecosystem, mod management wasn’t aligned with its long-term strategic goals.

Overwolf, on the other hand, is a platform dedicated to empowering in-game content creators. Acquiring CurseForge allowed Overwolf to significantly expand its reach and provide a more comprehensive suite of tools and resources for mod developers and gamers. This acquisition was therefore mutually beneficial, enabling Twitch to concentrate on its streaming service and Overwolf to bolster its position as a leading platform for in-game apps and mods.

What This Means for Users

The transition from Twitch to Overwolf has brought about several changes for CurseForge users. While the core functionality of browsing, downloading, and managing mods remains largely the same, there are some notable differences:

• New Ownership, New Focus: Overwolf’s dedicated focus on in-game content creation has resulted in renewed investment in the CurseForge platform. This includes improvements to the user interface, enhanced mod discovery features, and better support for mod developers.

• Overwolf Client Integration: While the CurseForge website remains accessible, Overwolf has pushed the adoption of its desktop client. This client offers a more streamlined experience for managing mods, launching games, and accessing Overwolf’s other in-game apps.

• Account Migration: Initially, users could log in to CurseForge using their Twitch credentials. However, Overwolf has gradually phased out Twitch login in favor of Overwolf accounts. This required users to migrate their accounts to Overwolf, though the migration process was designed to be relatively straightforward.

• Monetization Opportunities: Overwolf has introduced new monetization opportunities for mod creators through its platform. This allows developers to earn revenue from their creations, incentivizing them to continue producing high-quality mods.

• Safety and Security: Overwolf emphasizes the safety and security of mods available on CurseForge. They manually test all apps published on Overwolf for quality, malware, and performance. This ensures that users can download mods with confidence, knowing that they have been vetted for potential risks.

Overall, the acquisition of CurseForge by Overwolf has generally been viewed positively by the modding community. While some users initially expressed concerns about the transition, the renewed investment in the platform and the enhanced features have largely quelled those concerns.

Navigating the New Landscape

Understanding the ownership of CurseForge and its relationship with Overwolf is crucial for anyone involved in the modding scene. Whether you’re a seasoned mod developer or a casual gamer looking to enhance your gaming experience, knowing who’s behind the platform and what their goals are can help you make informed decisions.

For those interested in the broader context of games and their impact on society and education, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society. The GamesLearningSociety.org website offers valuable insights into how games can be used to promote learning, collaboration, and innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is CurseForge owned by Overwolf?

Yes, CurseForge is currently owned by Overwolf Ltd. Overwolf acquired CurseForge from Twitch in mid-2020.

2. Do you need Overwolf for Forge (Minecraft)?

No, you don’t need Overwolf for Forge. Forge is a modding API for Minecraft. You can download and install Forge separately. However, using the CurseForge app (powered by Overwolf) is a convenient way to manage Forge and its associated mods.

3. When was CurseForge founded?

CurseForge was founded in 2006.

4. Do you need a Twitch account to use CurseForge?

No, you no longer need a Twitch account to use CurseForge. Overwolf has migrated users to Overwolf accounts. Initially, Twitch accounts were used for login, but this is no longer the case.

5. Is CurseForge still owned by Twitch?

No, CurseForge is no longer owned by Twitch. Twitch sold CurseForge to Overwolf in 2020.

6. Are CurseForge mods safe?

Generally, yes, CurseForge mods are considered safe. Overwolf manually tests apps and mods published on CurseForge for quality, malware, and performance. However, it’s always wise to be cautious and only download mods from reputable sources.

7. Who made Overwolf?

Overwolf was founded in 2010 by Uri Marchand, Gil Or, Alon Ranowitz, and Nir Finkelstein.

8. Why did Twitch sell CurseForge?

Twitch sold CurseForge to focus on its core streaming platform priorities. Mod management was not aligned with Twitch’s long-term strategic goals.

9. Is CurseForge safe for Sims?

Yes, CurseForge mods for The Sims are generally considered safe. The content on CurseForge meets guidelines created in partnership with The Sims 4 team and is free of violence, nudity, etc.

10. How do I get rid of Overwolf in CurseForge?

To uninstall Overwolf, go to “Add or remove programs” in Windows, find Overwolf, and click “Uninstall.” You can choose to uninstall Overwolf and all associated apps, or just specific apps.

11. Is it safe to install Overwolf?

Yes, Overwolf is generally considered safe to install. Overwolf vets apps for quality, malware, and performance, ensuring compliance with game developers’ terms.

12. Why is the CurseForge app so slow?

Slowness in the CurseForge app can be caused by connection interferences, such as those caused by Intel Killer Networking Software, or other similar programs. Other factors can include outdated drivers and internet speed.

13. Who bought CurseForge?

Overwolf bought CurseForge from Twitch in 2020.

14. Can you get banned for using Overwolf?

It is unlikely that you will get banned for using Overwolf. Overwolf is generally considered a safe and legitimate platform by most game developers.

15. Is CurseForge owned by Amazon?

No, CurseForge is not owned by Amazon. While Twitch, which was previously the owner of CurseForge, is owned by Amazon, CurseForge is currently owned by Overwolf.