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, players discovered their mods no longer function following the January 10, 2025 update.
Season 1 introduced significant content, including playable Fantastic Four characters (Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman initially, with the Thing and Human Torch to follow), a new Battle Pass, maps, and a Doom Match mode. However, the simultaneous elimination of mod functionality has sparked debate.
NetEase Games, the developer, has consistently maintained that mod usage violates the game's terms of service, even for cosmetic modifications. Past actions, such as banning a mod featuring Donald Trump's likeness, foreshadowed this broader crackdown. The update likely incorporates hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity, effectively preventing mod usage.
While some players express disappointment over the loss of customizable content, and creators mourn unreleased mods, the move isn't entirely surprising. The presence of provocative mods, including those depicting nude characters, has drawn criticism. However, the primary driver behind the ban is likely financial. As a free-to-play game, Marvel Rivals relies heavily on in-game purchases of cosmetic items. The availability of free, custom mods could severely undermine the game's revenue model. Therefore, eliminating mod use is a strategic business decision to protect profitability.
