Marvel Rivals Patch Curtails Modding

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 activity 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, and previously issued bans for mod use. The Season 1 update appears to have implemented hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity, effectively eliminating widespread modding.

This action, while not surprising given NetEase's prior stance and individual mod bans (including a controversial Donald Trump mod), has disappointed some players who enjoyed customizable content. Several creators have expressed frustration on platforms like Twitter, sharing unreleased mods now rendered obsolete.

While some mods featured provocative content, including nude character skins, leading to player complaints, the primary motivation behind NetEase's crackdown is likely financial. As a free-to-play game, Marvel Rivals relies on in-game purchases of character bundles containing cosmetic items. The availability of free cosmetic mods could significantly impact the game's profitability. Therefore, the ban on mods is viewed as a necessary business strategy to maintain revenue.