Marvel Contest: Season 1 Update Halts Mods

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 practice among players since the game's launch. While not explicitly announced, the update effectively prevents players from using these modifications, reverting characters to their default appearances.

The Season 1 update, released 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. However, the simultaneous disabling of mods has caused considerable player reaction.

NetEase Games, the developer, has consistently maintained that mod usage violates the game's terms of service, even for cosmetic changes. Previous actions against individual mods, such as a Donald Trump-themed Captain America skin, foreshadowed this broader crackdown. The update likely employs hash checking, a technique to verify data authenticity and prevent unauthorized modifications.

The community's response has been mixed. While some understand NetEase's position, others mourn the loss of custom content, with some creators sharing unreleased mods online. Concerns have been raised about certain provocative mods, including nude skins, but the primary driver behind the ban is likely financial.

As a free-to-play game, Marvel Rivals relies heavily on in-app purchases of character bundles containing cosmetic items. The availability of free, custom-made skins directly impacts the game's profitability, making the elimination of mods a crucial business decision for NetEase.