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 unsurprising given NetEase's clear stance against modding in its terms of service (violations of which carry ban threats), has disappointed many players who enjoyed creating and sharing custom skins. Some mod creators have even mourned the loss of unreleased work.

The Season 1 update, launched January 10, 2025, introduced significant content including The Fantastic Four as playable characters (Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman initially, with Thing and Human Torch to follow), a new Battle Pass, maps, and a Doom Match mode. The simultaneous elimination of mod functionality is believed to be due to the implementation of hash checking, a security measure verifying data authenticity.

NetEase's crackdown isn't solely attributed to concerns over potentially offensive mods (some of which depicted characters nude). The company's free-to-play business model relies heavily on in-game purchases of cosmetic items like character bundles. Allowing free, custom mods would directly undermine this revenue stream, making the ban a calculated business decision. The removal of modding capabilities therefore serves to protect Marvel Rivals' profitability.