Marvel Rivals Season 1 Update Cracks Down on Mods

Marvel Rivals' Season 1 update has reportedly disabled the use of custom-made mods, a popular feature among players since the game's launch. While not explicitly announced, the update effectively prevents players from using modded character skins and other cosmetic alterations.

The January 10, 2025, Season 1 update 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. However, the simultaneous disabling of mods has sparked controversy.

NetEase Games, the developer, has consistently stated that mod usage violates the game's terms of service, even for purely cosmetic modifications. Previous actions against individual mods, including a Donald Trump-themed Captain America skin, foreshadowed this broader crackdown. The Season 1 update appears to employ hash checking, a security measure verifying data authenticity, to prevent mod functionality.

This move, while not surprising given NetEase's stated policy, has disappointed many players who enjoyed customizing their game experience. Some mod creators have expressed frustration, sharing unreleased creations now rendered obsolete.

While some mods featured controversial content, including nude character skins, the primary motivation behind NetEase's action is likely financial. As a free-to-play game, Marvel Rivals relies on in-game purchases of character bundles containing cosmetic items. The availability of free, custom mods could severely impact the game's profitability. Therefore, the ban on mods is a strategic decision to protect the game's monetization model.