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 pastime among players since the game's launch. While not explicitly announced, players discovered their mods no longer function, reverting characters to their default appearances.

This move, though impacting the modding community, aligns with NetEase's established terms of service, which prohibit mod usage. The company has previously acted against specific mods, including one featuring Donald Trump's likeness. The Season 1 update likely employs hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity, to effectively prevent mod implementation.

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.

The decision to eliminate mod support is likely driven by financial considerations. As a free-to-play game, Marvel Rivals relies heavily on in-app purchases of cosmetic items like character skins and sprays. The availability of free, custom-made cosmetics could severely undermine the game's revenue model. While some provocative mods, including nude skins, have generated controversy, the primary motivation appears to be preserving the game's profitability. This has left some mod creators disappointed, with some sharing their unreleased creations online.