Marvel Rivals Season 1 Update Cracks Down on Mods
Marvel Rivals' Season 1 update 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 impacting the community, aligns with NetEase's terms of service, which prohibit mod usage. The company previously acted against individual mods, including one featuring Donald Trump as Captain America. Season 1's implementation of hash checking, a data authentication method, likely accounts for the widespread mod deactivation.
Launched on January 10, 2025, Season 1 introduces The Fantastic Four (with Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman initially available, and the Thing and Human Torch to follow), a new Battle Pass, maps, and the Doom Match game mode. The removal of custom mods, however, overshadows these additions for some players. Several mod creators have expressed frustration, sharing unreleased creations now rendered obsolete.
The decision to ban mods isn't solely driven by concerns about provocative or inappropriate content (though some mods depicted nude heroes). Crucially, Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play game reliant on in-game purchases for revenue. The availability of free, custom cosmetic mods directly undermines the game's monetization strategy, which centers on selling character bundles with new skins and other cosmetic items. Therefore, eliminating mod usage is a necessary, albeit controversial, business decision for NetEase.
