Marvel Rivals Update Disables Mods

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.

The update, released January 10, 2025, introduced significant content including the Fantastic Four as playable heroes (Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman initially, with Thing and Human Torch to follow), a new Battle Pass, maps, and a Doom Match mode. However, the simultaneous elimination of mod functionality has caused considerable frustration.

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 offenders. The Season 1 update appears to have preemptively addressed this through the implementation of hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity.

This move, while not entirely surprising given NetEase's prior actions (including banning a controversial Donald Trump mod), has disappointed players who enjoyed creating and sharing custom content. Some mod creators have expressed their dismay on social media, showcasing unreleased work now rendered obsolete.

While some mods featured provocative content, including nude skins, the primary motivation for NetEase's crackdown likely stems from the game's free-to-play business model. Marvel Rivals relies heavily on in-app purchases of character bundles containing cosmetic items. The availability of free, custom cosmetic mods could severely impact the game's profitability. Therefore, the ban on mods is a strategic business decision to protect its revenue stream.