Summary
- The Season 1 update for Marvel Rivals seems to have eliminated the ability to use custom-made mods.
- NetEase has stressed that using mods is against the game's terms of service.
- The ban on mods likely aims to preserve Marvel Rivals' profitability through in-game purchases.
The latest Marvel Rivals update has reportedly eliminated the ability to utilize custom-made mods. Adding in bespoke character skins has been a popular activity among many Marvel Rivals fans since its launch, but with the release of Season 1, using these mods no longer appears possible.
After a successful and highly profitable launch in early December, Marvel Rivals launched its Season 1 content on January 10, 2025. The biggest addition in the first season is the inclusion of The Fantastic Four as playable heroes, with Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman already available and the Thing and the Human Torch coming later, likely in late February. The new season also brings with it a fresh Battle Pass, new maps, and a new Doom Match game mode.
Marvel Rivals Censorship Explained
Marvel Rivals has had a launch as legendary as a Star Lord ultimate, but some players have discovered the in-game chat has some censorship issues.
But while it wasn't an announced change, players have also logged into the game to find that their Marvel Rivals mods are no longer working, leaving superheroes and villains in their default looks. NetEase Games has told players from the start that the use of mods violates the game's terms of service, even if those mods are just cosmetic, and has threatened players with bans for loading them into the title. It now seems those bans won't be necessary, as the widespread modding of the game has seemingly been cut off through the season 1 update's addition of hash checking, a programming method that verifies the authenticity of data.
Marvel Rivals Eliminates Mod Use
This across-the-board action against mods isn't completely unexpected by the Marvel Rivals community. In addition to NetEase making its stance clear in its terms of service, the company has taken action against individual mods, such as banning a Marvel Rivals Donald Trump mod that replaced the head of Captain America with that of the U.S. President-elect. Still, the action has hit some players hard, as they lament the loss of customizable content. Some creators have even taken to platforms like Twitter to share their unreleased mods that will now never see the light of day.
Some of the mods in the game have turned heads with their provocative content, leading players to complain about numerous skins that show heroes in the nude. However, that's likely not the only reason NetEase has taken action against mod use. Banning mods is a necessary evil for Marvel Rivals as a business strategy since it is a free-to-play game. With that in mind, the game relies entirely on players making in-game purchases, and the way it does that is through releasing character bundles that contain new skins, sprays, and other cosmetic items. Allowing the use of free cosmetic mods could potentially eliminate Marvel Rivals' ability to make a profit altogether.
Marvel Rivals
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- December 6, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!
Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!
A Deep and Varied Marvel Roster
Choose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.
Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game Dynamics
With intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there's never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.
Dynamic Hero Synergy
Coordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot's back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man's armor for massive damage, and so much more!
Creative Environment Destruction
Tear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!
Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch Updates
The Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Limited - console crossplay, no PC crossplay
- Cross Save
- No
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Number of Players
- 1-6
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
- How Long To Beat
- 7.5 hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 20 GB
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
