Summary
- NetEase Games has warned that modding Marvel Rivals could lead to account bans, as it violates the game's terms of service.
- Season 1 introduced measures to deter modding, but these were quickly bypassed by the community.
- It remains unclear whether NetEase Games has issued any bans specifically for modding Marvel Rivals.
Marvel Rivals, developed and published by NetEase Games, has become a sensation among fans of Marvel Comics and team-based shooters since its launch in December 2024. The game has continued to evolve, with Season 1 bringing significant updates including Hero buffs and nerfs, and the introduction of Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic from the Fantastic Four to the playable roster. The remaining members, Human Torch and The Thing, are set to join in future updates. This ongoing development and the game's popularity have led to Marvel Rivals being nominated for Online Game of the Year at the DICE Awards 2025, which will be held on February 13 in Las Vegas.
However, the game's modding community has posed a challenge for NetEase Games. In response to modding activities, NetEase Games has explicitly stated that any modifications to Marvel Rivals, whether cosmetic or performance-enhancing, contravene the game's terms of service and could result in permanent bans. This stance was reinforced following the launch of Season 1, which introduced a hidden deterrent against modding. Despite these efforts, modders quickly found workarounds.
A notable mod, developed by a user named Prafit and available on Nexus Mods, bypassed the new deterrent that checks asset hashes to detect modifications. Prafit has cautioned users that downloading the mod involves risks, including potential account bans, and recommended it only for those with high-end PCs. Additionally, another mod created by Ercuallo, which transforms Mister Fantastic into Luffy from One Piece, gained attention on social media through RivalsLeaks on Twitter.
While some mods, such as one featuring US President-elect Donald Trump, have been removed from Nexus Mods, Prafit's workaround remained available, with over 500 downloads reported. Although there have been instances of false bans in Marvel Rivals since its launch, the specific impact of modding on player accounts remains uncertain. NetEase Games has yet to confirm if any bans have been issued directly due to modding, but their warnings are clear: mod at your own risk.
As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see how NetEase Games responds to the ongoing issue of modding in Marvel Rivals.
