Marvel Rivals Fans Risk Bans for Cheating

Summary

• NetEase Games has warned Marvel Rivals players that modding the game could lead to permanent account bans, as it violates the game's terms of service.
• Season 1 introduced measures to deter modding, but workarounds were quickly developed by the community.
• It remains unclear whether NetEase Games has issued any bans specifically for modding Marvel Rivals.

NetEase Games, the developer and publisher behind the popular team shooter Marvel Rivals, has issued a stern warning to players: any form of modding, from cosmetic hero modifications to performance-enhancing add-ons, will risk a permanent ban. This stance was reaffirmed following the launch of Season 1, which not only brought Hero buffs and nerfs but also introduced new characters Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic from the Fantastic Four. The remaining members, Human Torch and The Thing, are slated for future updates. Since its debut in December 2024, Marvel Rivals has captured the hearts of both Marvel Comics enthusiasts and team shooter fans, earning a nomination for Online Game of the Year at the upcoming DICE Awards 2025, set to be held on February 13 in Las Vegas.

Despite NetEase Games' efforts to curb modding in Season 1 through asset hash checks, resourceful players found workarounds. A notable example is a mod by user Prafit available on Nexus Mods, which bypasses these checks. Prafit warned users that downloading the mod comes with the risk of account bans and recommended it only for those with high-end PCs. Following this, another mod surfaced on social media, transforming Mister Fantastic into Luffy from One Piece, created by user Ercuallo and showcased by RivalsLeaks on Twitter.

Marvel Rivals Warns Users to Stop Modding or Risk Bans

While it's uncertain if NetEase Games has handed out bans specifically for modding, the company has emphasized that such actions contravene the game's terms of service. Although some mods, including one featuring US President-elect Donald Trump, have been taken down from Nexus Mods, Prafit's workaround mod remained available, boasting over 500 downloads at the time of writing.

The game has faced challenges with false bans since its launch, but NetEase Games has been clear about the consequences of violating the terms of service. The community awaits further action from NetEase Games in response to the ongoing modding situation.