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 action, though unsurprising given NetEase's clear terms of service prohibiting mods, has disappointed many players who enjoyed creating and sharing custom content. Some mod creators have even mourned the loss of unreleased work. Past instances of NetEase addressing mod usage, such as banning a controversial Donald Trump mod, foreshadowed this broader crackdown.

The Season 1 update likely incorporates hash checking, a technique verifying data authenticity, effectively eliminating widespread modding. This move is arguably a necessary business strategy for the free-to-play Marvel Rivals, which relies heavily on in-app purchases of cosmetic items like character skins and sprays. The availability of free, custom cosmetics could significantly impact the game's profitability.

The addition of The Fantastic Four as playable characters, a new Battle Pass, maps, and the Doom Match mode highlight Season 1's positive changes, but the simultaneous elimination of modding presents a significant shift in the player experience.