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 warning follows the release of Season 1, which introduced gameplay adjustments and new playable characters from the Fantastic Four. While Season 1 included measures to detect modifications by checking asset hashes, resourceful modders quickly found workarounds. One such workaround, available on Nexus Mods, bypasses these checks. The mod's creator, Prafit, openly acknowledges the risk of account bans associated with its use. Another mod, created by Ercuallo and shared on social media, even allowed players to transform Mister Fantastic into One Piece's Luffy.

Despite some mods being removed from platforms like Nexus Mods (including one featuring President-elect Donald Trump), Prafit's workaround remains available with hundreds of downloads. While NetEase Games hasn't publicly confirmed any bans for modding yet, the company has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy regarding modifications, cheats, and hacks.

The situation highlights the ongoing conflict between developers striving to maintain game integrity and players seeking to customize their experience. NetEase Games' response to the widespread use of these workarounds remains to be seen. The future will determine the extent of enforcement against modders. Marvel Rivals, nominated for Online Game of the Year at the DICE Awards 2025, continues to enjoy significant popularity despite these challenges.