Marvel Rivals Season 1 Update Cracks Down on Mods
The Season 1 update for Marvel Rivals has reportedly disabled the use of custom-made mods, a popular feature among players since the game's launch. While not explicitly announced, players discovered their mods no longer function, reverting characters to their default appearances.
This move, though unsurprising given NetEase's clear stance against modding in its terms of service (violations of which have previously resulted in bans), has disappointed some players who enjoyed creating and using custom skins. Several mod creators have expressed frustration, sharing unreleased content that will now remain unseen.
The Season 1 update, released January 10, 2025, introduced significant content including playable Fantastic Four characters (Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman initially, with Thing and Human Torch to follow), a new Battle Pass, maps, and a Doom Match mode. The simultaneous elimination of mod functionality is believed to be due to the implementation of hash checking, a security measure verifying data authenticity.
While some mods featured controversial content, including nude character skins, the primary driver behind NetEase's action is likely financial. As a free-to-play game, Marvel Rivals relies heavily on in-game purchases of character bundles containing cosmetic items. The availability of free, custom mods could significantly impact the game's profitability. Therefore, the ban on mods is viewed as a necessary business strategy to maintain revenue streams.
