Steam's Paid Mods Are Possibly Making a Return

The widely controversial paid mods system may be coming back onto the Steam platform. Back in April, when the paid mod system first released, it caught the flames of ire by many who claimed that mods should always be free. Many users went on strikes, posted petitions, and protested with ridiculously high-priced and shoddy quality mods of their own until Valve and Bethesda caved and removed the service.

However, Valve recently released a post about paids mods on the "Mods on Steam" page, in the form of a Q&A.

Here's the question that definitely seems to confirm the return of paid mods:
 

"Why are some mods free and others cost money?

Each mod author decides whether they think their is enough customer interest in their mod to list it for sale. Just like buying a game, paying for a mod helps to support and reward the team (sometimes consisting of just one person) who have worked hard to create that new content."

This doesn't exactly answer how paid mods will work this time around though. Perhaps Steam/Bethesda will take less of a cut for the mods, but Steam still seems to be against the suggestions of a donation button. Either way, this introduction could potentially summon the second reckoning that will not be exactly pleasing for Steam. But maybe the rollout will go a lot smoother and modders, users, Gabe can once more live in harmony.