Summary
- NetEase Games has warned that modding Marvel Rivals could result in account bans due to violations of the game's terms of service.
- Season 1 introduced measures to prevent modding, but some players found ways to circumvent these restrictions.
- It remains unclear whether NetEase Games has issued any bans specifically for modding Marvel Rivals.
NetEase Games, the developer and publisher behind the popular team shooter Marvel Rivals, has issued a stern warning to its player base: modding the game in any capacity could lead to a permanent ban. This stance was reaffirmed following the launch of Season 1, which not only brought in new gameplay adjustments and introduced heroes Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic from the Fantastic Four but also implemented hidden measures to curb modding. Despite these efforts, some players have managed to find workarounds, continuing to modify the game in defiance of NetEase Games' terms of service.
Since its launch in December 2024, Marvel Rivals has captivated fans of both Marvel Comics and team-based shooters, earning a nomination for Online Game of the Year at the upcoming DICE Awards 2025, set to be broadcast from Las Vegas on February 13. The game has promised the addition of the remaining Fantastic Four members, Human Torch and The Thing, in future updates, further fueling anticipation among its player base.
Despite the introduction of anti-modding measures in Season 1, some users have successfully bypassed these restrictions. A notable example is an add-on available on Nexus Mods, created by a user named Prafit, which evades NetEase Games' asset hash checks designed to detect modifications. Prafit has advised users to proceed at their own risk, emphasizing that the mod is best suited for those with high-end PCs. Additionally, another mod surfaced on social media, crafted by Ercuallo, which transforms Mister Fantastic into Luffy from One Piece, capitalizing on their similar stretching abilities. This mod was highlighted in a video shared by RivalsLeaks on Twitter.
While it's not confirmed if NetEase Games has handed out bans specifically for modding, the company has made it clear that any form of modification, including cheats or hacks, is against the game's terms of service. Some mods, such as one depicting US President-elect Donald Trump, have been removed from Nexus Mods, but Prafit's workaround remains available, having been downloaded over 500 times at the time of reporting.
Marvel Rivals has faced challenges with false bans since its inception, yet the consequences of violating its terms of service have been plainly stated. As the situation unfolds, the gaming community awaits NetEase Games' next move regarding the enforcement of its anti-modding policies.
