Marvel Rivals Players Risk Bans

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 a hidden anti-modding measure, but modders found ways around it.
• It's unclear if NetEase Games has issued any bans for modding yet.

NetEase Games, the developer and publisher of the popular team shooter Marvel Rivals, has firmly stated that any form of modding the game could result in permanent account bans. This stance applies to all modifications, from cosmetic changes to performance-enhancing add-ons, as they contravene the game's terms of service.

This announcement follows the launch of Season 1 for Marvel Rivals, which included balance changes for Heroes and introduced new characters Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic from the Fantastic Four. The other two members, Human Torch and The Thing, are slated for future updates. Since its debut in December 2024, Marvel Rivals has captivated fans of Marvel Comics and team shooters alike, earning a nomination for Online Game of the Year at the upcoming DICE Awards 2025, set to be broadcast live from Las Vegas on February 13.

Despite NetEase Games' efforts to curb modding in Season 1, some players have found ways to bypass the new anti-modding measures. An add-on available on Nexus Mods, developed by user Prafit, circumvents a system that checks asset hashes to detect modifications. Prafit has cautioned users that downloading the mod comes with the risk of account bans and recommends it only for those with high-end PCs. Following the release of Prafit's workaround, another mod surfaced on social media, allowing players to transform Mister Fantastic into Luffy from One Piece, created by user Ercuallo and shared by RivalsLeaks on Twitter.

Marvel Rivals Warns Users to Stop Modding or Risk Bans

It remains uncertain whether NetEase Games has banned any players for modding Marvel Rivals, but the company has emphasized that such actions violate the game's terms of service. While some mods, including one featuring US President-elect Donald Trump, have been removed from Nexus Mods, Prafit's Season 1 workaround remains available, with over 500 downloads at the time of writing.

While Marvel Rivals has experienced issues with false bans since its launch, the risks associated with violating the game's terms of service are now clear. The future actions of NetEase Games in response to this situation remain to be seen.