Marvel Rivals Season 1 Update Disables Mods

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 changes. Previous actions against individual mods, including a controversial Donald Trump mod, foreshadowed this broader crackdown. The Season 1 update appears to employ hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity, to eliminate widespread modding.

Season 1, launched 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. However, the unintended consequence for many players is the loss of their custom content. Some mod creators have expressed frustration, sharing unreleased work now rendered obsolete.

The move against mods isn't surprising, given NetEase's business model. Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play game reliant on in-game purchases of character bundles containing cosmetic items. The availability of free, custom-made cosmetics could significantly impact the game's profitability. While some mods featured controversial content, including nude skins, the primary driver behind the ban is likely the preservation of NetEase's revenue stream.