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 practice among players since the game's launch. This change, while unannounced, prevents players from using modified character skins and other cosmetic alterations.

The January 10, 2025 Season 1 update introduced significant content, including the Fantastic Four as playable characters (Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman initially, with the Thing and Human Torch to follow), a new Battle Pass, maps, and a Doom Match game mode. However, the simultaneous disabling of mods has caused considerable disappointment among players.

NetEase Games, the developer, has consistently stated that mod usage violates the game's terms of service, even for cosmetic modifications. Previous actions against individual mods, including a controversial Donald Trump mod, foreshadowed this broader crackdown. The update likely employs hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity, to effectively eliminate mod functionality.

While some players express frustration over the loss of customizable content and unreleased mods, NetEase's decision is likely driven by financial considerations. 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, though potentially unpopular, is a key business strategy for the game's long-term sustainability.