NetEase Games Issues Warning: Marvel Rivals Modders Face Bans
NetEase Games, developer and publisher of the popular team shooter Marvel Rivals, has issued a stern warning to players using mods. The company explicitly stated that any modification of the game, regardless of whether it's cosmetic or provides an in-game advantage, violates the terms of service and risks a permanent ban.
This announcement follows the release of Season 1, which included hero adjustments, the addition of Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic (with Human Torch and The Thing to follow), and an attempt to deter modding by checking game asset hashes. Despite these measures, workarounds quickly emerged, allowing players to bypass the anti-modding system. One such mod, available on Nexus Mods, even transformed Mister Fantastic into One Piece's Luffy.
While the existence of bans for modding remains unconfirmed, NetEase Games has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards modifications, cheats, and hacks. Although some mods, including one featuring Donald Trump, have been removed from Nexus Mods, others, like the popular workaround mod with over 500 downloads, persist.
The situation highlights the ongoing conflict between developers' efforts to maintain game integrity and the creativity of the modding community. NetEase Games' clear stance underscores the potential consequences for players who choose to modify Marvel Rivals, leaving the future impact of these warnings uncertain. The game, nominated for Online Game of the Year at the upcoming DICE Awards 2025, continues to enjoy considerable success despite these challenges.
