Summary
- NetEase Games has warned that modding Marvel Rivals could lead to account bans, citing violations of the game's terms of service.
- Season 1 introduced measures to deter modding, but workarounds were quickly developed.
- It remains unclear if any bans have been issued 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 form could result in a permanent ban. This statement comes as a response to various modifications, ranging from cosmetic hero mods to gameplay-altering add-ons, which contravene the game's terms of service.
The warning follows the launch of Season 1 for Marvel Rivals, which not only introduced balance changes with Hero buffs and nerfs but also added two new characters from the Fantastic Four, Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic, to the roster. The remaining members, Human Torch and The Thing, are slated to join in future updates. Since its debut 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.
Despite efforts to curb modding with Season 1, some players found ways to bypass these restrictions. A notable workaround was shared on Nexus Mods by a user named Prafit, who developed an add-on that evades NetEase Games' asset hash checks designed to detect modifications. Prafit emphasized that users who download the mod do so at their own risk, recommending it only for those with high-end PCs. Following Prafit's release, another mod surfaced on social media, transforming Mister Fantastic into Luffy from One Piece, created by a user called Ercuallo and showcased by RivalsLeaks on Twitter.
Marvel Rivals Warns Users to Stop Modding or Risk Bans
While it is not yet confirmed whether NetEase Games has enforced bans specifically for modding, the company has firmly reiterated its stance against any modifications, cheats, or hacks, as outlined in the game's terms of service. Although some mods, such as one featuring US President-elect Donald Trump, were removed from Nexus Mods, Prafit's Season 1 workaround remained available, boasting over 500 downloads at the time of this report.
The game has faced issues with false player bans since its launch, adding complexity to the situation. As the community watches closely, the actions NetEase Games will take in response to ongoing modding attempts remain to be seen.
