Marvel Rivals Update: Mods Temporarily Unavailable

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 activity among players since the game's launch. While not explicitly announced, players discovered their mods no longer function after the January 10, 2025 update.

Season 1 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 mode. However, the simultaneous elimination of mod functionality 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 modifications. Previous actions included banning specific mods, such as one featuring Donald Trump's likeness. The Season 1 update appears to have implemented hash checking, a security measure preventing unauthorized data from being loaded, effectively rendering mods unusable.

This move, while not surprising given NetEase's prior stance, has disappointed some players who enjoyed creating and sharing custom content. Several mod creators have expressed their frustration, sharing unreleased work that will remain unseen.

While some controversial mods, including those depicting characters in nude skins, may have contributed to the decision, the primary driver 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 cosmetics could significantly impact the game's profitability. Therefore, the ban on mods is a strategic business decision to protect revenue streams.