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 feature among players since the game's launch. While not explicitly announced, players discovered their mods no longer function, reverting characters to their default appearances.
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 technique verifying data authenticity, effectively eliminating widespread modding.
This move, while not surprising given NetEase's stance and previous actions, has disappointed some players who enjoyed custom content. Several creators have expressed frustration on platforms like Twitter, showcasing unreleased mods now rendered obsolete.
While some mods contained controversial content, including nude character skins, the primary driver behind the mod ban is likely financial. As a free-to-play game, Marvel Rivals relies heavily on in-game purchases of character bundles containing cosmetic items. The availability of free cosmetic mods could severely impact the game's profitability. Therefore, the ban on mods is viewed as a necessary business strategy to maintain revenue.
The Season 1 update also introduced significant new 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 unexpected mod ban overshadows these additions for many players.
