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 mods. The company explicitly stated that any modification of the game, regardless of type (cosmetic or performance-enhancing), violates the terms of service and risks a permanent ban.
This announcement follows the launch of Season 1, which included hero adjustments, the addition of Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic (with Human Torch and The Thing to follow), and a (now circumvented) anti-modding measure checking game asset hashes. Despite this, workarounds quickly emerged, allowing for modifications such as transforming Mister Fantastic into One Piece's Luffy, as highlighted by RivalsLeaks on Twitter. One such workaround, created by Prafit and available on Nexus Mods, boasts over 500 downloads. While some mods, including one featuring Donald Trump, have been removed from Nexus Mods, Prafit's remains accessible.
Although NetEase Games hasn't publicly confirmed any bans for modding yet, the company has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards modifications, cheats, and hacks. The potential consequences are significant, particularly considering Marvel Rivals' ongoing success, including its nomination for the DICE Awards 2025 Online Game of the Year.
The situation remains fluid, and the long-term response from NetEase Games to the prevalence of modding remains to be seen. However, the clear message is that players modifying Marvel Rivals do so at their own risk.
