Marvel Rivals Season 1 Update Disables Mods

Summary

• Season 1 of Marvel Rivals has reportedly removed the ability to use custom mods.
• NetEase has consistently stated that mod usage violates the game's terms of service.
• This ban likely aims to protect Marvel Rivals' revenue generated from in-game purchases.

Marvel Rivals' Season 1 update, released January 10, 2025, has seemingly disabled custom-made mods. While not officially announced, players have discovered their previously functional mods are no longer working, reverting characters to their default appearances. This follows a successful launch in early December and the introduction of Season 1 content, including the Fantastic Four (Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman initially, with the Thing and Human Torch to follow), a new Battle Pass, maps, and a Doom Match game mode.

The inability to use mods, while not explicitly detailed in the patch notes, is unsurprising. NetEase Games has always maintained that mod usage contravenes their terms of service, even for cosmetic modifications, and previously issued bans for such infractions. The Season 1 update appears to have implemented hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity, effectively eliminating widespread modding.

Marvel Rivals Eliminates Mod Use

This decisive action against modding isn't entirely unexpected within the Marvel Rivals community. NetEase's clear stance in its terms of service, coupled with past actions like banning a mod replacing Captain America's head with that of the then President-elect, laid the groundwork for this broader change. Nevertheless, the impact on players is significant, with many expressing disappointment over the loss of customizable content. Some mod creators have even shared unreleased creations now rendered obsolete.

While some mods featured controversial content, including nude character skins, prompting player complaints, the decision to ban mods likely stems from a larger business strategy. As a free-to-play game, Marvel Rivals relies heavily on in-game purchases of character bundles containing skins, sprays, and other cosmetic items. Allowing free cosmetic mods could severely undermine the game's profitability.