Look, I'm not sure if this is even active still, or if people have already made these points (I'm sure they have), but here's part of my opinion on the whole situation for what it's worth.

Basically it's a sound concept, and it could work, but not within this system as it's currently implemented and it most probably wouldn't work at all without any direct oversight and some standards or something.

Valve seems to be on this little quest to shrug off nearly all responsibility of regulating their own platform and if that really is the case, they should just pull the plug on this now and I'm pretty sure leaving it to the publishers themselves would only open it up for more abuse, In my opinion.

It should all come down to the amount of original content that's present really. In my opinion, your typical mod that borrows most from the base game should be open for passive donations only (but that donation button would be front and center right on the page).

If we're talking about a total conversion, or an extensive overhaul, maybe something like those are inherently worth a bit more and after being put through some sort of process which should require effort on Valve's part or maybe jointly with the dev/publisher, then could be put behind a mandatory paywall.

Again I'm not entirely for or against this but I'm absolutely against it as they have it implemented right now; It just needs some tweaking.

Here's one part of a post I made a while back but hadn't posted here: (and I just made a reddit account honestly, so sorry if I screw this up)

See your situation (to the OP) is an example of what this system would work for and why overall, it is a fine idea.

BUT

In terms of your typical mod, it's a very, very bad idea. Like others are already saying you have dependencies to worry about and in most cases they could NEVER guarantee that user mods will stay in working order. If something breaks the game or other mods a person might have paid for, your only option is to get your refund in virtual currency using a system that Valve will lock people out of for "abusing".

They shouldn't have any right forcing people to take that risk, with no option of being able to back out completely, and there's the flaw.

It would work perfectly for total conversions and extensive mods that could be deemed total overhauls on the base game. Passive donations would be way more preferable with what we'd call a standard mod on something (a little subjective I'm sure but let's not split hairs).

And even with passive donations that's still a better alternative than doing it externally. There are still gains to be made because the button for that would be right on Steam too.

But Valve has to absolutely step in or set up a system to properly regulate all this.

We absolutely must have standards and a process on something like this.

They're literally trying to make this into the next Early Access, for community made mods.