Marvel Rivals Players Risk Bans

Summary

• NetEase Games has warned that modding Marvel Rivals could lead to account bans due to violations of the game's terms of service.
• Season 1 introduced measures to deter modding, but workarounds were quickly developed.
• It remains unclear whether NetEase Games has issued any bans for modding Marvel Rivals.

NetEase Games, the developer and publisher behind the popular team shooter Marvel Rivals, has issued a stern warning to its player base. The company has made it clear that any form of modding, from cosmetic changes to performance-enhancing modifications, is strictly against the game's terms of service and could result in permanent bans.

This announcement follows the launch of Season 1 for Marvel Rivals, which not only introduced new heroes like Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic from the Fantastic Four but also included hidden measures to prevent modding. Despite these efforts, some players found ways to bypass these restrictions. For instance, a mod available on Nexus Mods, created by a user named Prafit, allows players to circumvent NetEase's asset hash checks designed to detect modifications. Prafit has cautioned users about the risks of account bans and recommended the mod only for those with high-end PCs. Additionally, another mod surfaced on social media, transforming Mister Fantastic into Luffy from One Piece, showcasing the creativity and persistence of the modding community.

Since its launch in December 2024, Marvel Rivals has garnered significant attention from fans of Marvel Comics and team shooters alike, earning a nomination for Online Game of the Year at the upcoming DICE Awards 2025, set to be held on February 13 in Las Vegas. The game's success has been marred by occasional issues, including false player bans, but the threat of sanctions for modding has been explicitly communicated.

While some mods, such as one featuring US President-elect Donald Trump, have been removed from Nexus Mods, Prafit's workaround remained available with over 500 downloads at the time of writing. The situation continues to evolve, and it remains to be seen how NetEase Games will address the ongoing issue of modding within Marvel Rivals.