Marvel Rivals Season 1 Update Disables Mods

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 pastime among players since the game's launch. While not explicitly announced, players discovered their mods no longer function, reverting characters to their default appearances.

NetEase Games, the developer, has consistently stated that mod usage violates the game's terms of service, even for cosmetic modifications. Previous actions included banning specific mods, such as one featuring Donald Trump as Captain America. The Season 1 update appears to have addressed widespread modding through the implementation of hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity.

This move, while not surprising given NetEase's stance, has disappointed some players who enjoyed creating and using custom content. Several mod creators have expressed frustration on platforms like Twitter, showcasing unreleased mods now rendered obsolete.

While some mods contained provocative 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-made cosmetics could severely impact the game's profitability. Therefore, the ban on mods is viewed as a necessary business strategy to maintain the game's revenue stream. The Season 1 update, which also introduced The Fantastic Four as playable characters, a new Battle Pass, maps, and a Doom Match mode, effectively eliminates the use of mods.