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 feature among players since the game's launch. While not explicitly announced, the update effectively prevents players from using modified character skins and other cosmetic alterations.

NetEase Games, the developer, has consistently maintained that mod usage violates the game's terms of service, even for purely cosmetic modifications. Previous actions included banning specific mods, such as one featuring Donald Trump's likeness replacing Captain America. The Season 1 update appears to employ hash checking—a technique verifying data authenticity—to eliminate the widespread use of mods.

Season 1, launched on January 10, 2025, introduced significant content, including playable Fantastic Four characters (Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman initially, with Thing and Human Torch to follow), a new Battle Pass, maps, and a Doom Match game mode. The unexpected mod crackdown overshadowed these additions for some players. Several mod creators have expressed frustration, sharing unreleased creations now rendered obsolete.

While some mods featured controversial content, including nude character skins, the primary driver behind NetEase's action 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, custom mods could significantly undermine the game's revenue model. Therefore, the ban on mods is viewed as a necessary business strategy to ensure the game's continued profitability.