Marvel Rivals Patch 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 pastime among players since the game's launch. While not explicitly announced, players discovered their previously functional mods are now ineffective.

This move, though unsurprising given NetEase's clear stance against modding in its terms of service, has disappointed many players who enjoyed creating and using custom character skins. NetEase has previously issued bans for mod usage, even for purely cosmetic modifications. The Season 1 update appears to have implemented hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity, effectively eliminating widespread modding.

The impact is significant. Mod creators are sharing unreleased content that will never be used, and players mourn the loss of customizable content. While some mods contained provocative or inappropriate content (including nude skins), the primary driver behind NetEase's action is likely financial.

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 mods directly undermines this revenue model, potentially jeopardizing the game's profitability. Therefore, the ban on mods serves as a necessary business strategy to protect NetEase's investment.