Marvel Rivals Update disables harmful modifications

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. While not explicitly announced, players discovered their mods no longer function, reverting characters to their default appearances.

NetEase Games, the developer, has consistently stated that mod usage violates the game's terms of service, even for cosmetic modifications. Previous actions included banning specific mods, such as one featuring Donald Trump's likeness. The Season 1 update appears to have implemented hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity, effectively preventing mod functionality.

This move, while not surprising given NetEase's stance and prior actions, has disappointed some players who enjoyed creating and using custom content. Several mod creators have expressed frustration on platforms like Twitter, sharing unreleased mods now rendered obsolete.

While some controversial mods featuring inappropriate content existed, the primary motivation behind the ban likely stems from Marvel Rivals' free-to-play business model. The game relies heavily on in-app purchases for character bundles containing cosmetic items. The availability of free cosmetic mods could severely impact the game's profitability. Therefore, eliminating mod usage is considered a necessary business strategy to maintain revenue.