NetEase Games Issues Warning: Marvel Rivals Modders Face Potential Bans
NetEase Games, developer and publisher of the popular team shooter Marvel Rivals, has issued a stern warning to players utilizing modifications (mods). The company explicitly stated that any form of modding, from cosmetic changes to performance-enhancing additions, violates the game's terms of service and risks permanent account bans.
This announcement follows the release of Marvel Rivals Season 1, which introduced new playable characters (Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic from the Fantastic Four) and adjustments to existing heroes. Despite attempts within Season 1 to detect and prevent modding through asset hash checks, workarounds have emerged. One such workaround, detailed by IGN, allows players to bypass these checks. This mod, available on Nexus Mods, has been downloaded hundreds of times, despite the creator, Prafit, explicitly warning users of the potential for account bans and recommending it only for high-end PCs. Further highlighting the modding issue, a mod transforming Mister Fantastic into One Piece's Luffy, created by Ercuallo, circulated on social media.
While NetEase Games hasn't publicly confirmed any bans for modding yet, the company emphasizes that all modifications are strictly prohibited. Although some mods have been removed from platforms like Nexus Mods (including one featuring President-elect Donald Trump), Prafit's workaround remains available.
Marvel Rivals, nominated for Online Game of the Year at the upcoming DICE Awards 2025, has experienced issues with false bans since its launch. The current situation with modding raises concerns, and the future actions of NetEase Games remain to be seen. The company's clear stance, however, leaves little room for doubt regarding the consequences of violating the terms of service.
