With the launch of Marvel Rivals Season 1, players were greeted with a flurry of updates, including the addition of new heroes and vital balance adjustments. However, a less advertised change came through the implementation of asset hash checking. This clever, albeit controversial, move effectively locked out mods by preventing client-side modifications—a fatal blow to the once-thriving modding community. NetEase, the game’s publisher, has always stood firm against modding, categorizing it within the same realm of bannable offenses as botting and cheating due to its use of unauthorized third-party software. Given the wide array of mods available over at Nexus Mods, this crackdown was bound to happen.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Undaunted modders have started uncovering methods to re-enable their beloved mods, albeit with substantial risks. Instead of simply using a mod manager, intrepid players now need to dig deep into Marvel Rivals’ .pak files. For those willing to dance on the edge of a ban hammer, a player has even issued a tutorial to help others navigate this treacherous path, as noted by Dexerto. While some mods are light-hearted, enabling character swaps like Luffy as Mister Fantastic, others aim to enhance gameplay by improving performance. Before asset hash checking rendered this impossible, some mods were a lifeline for players experiencing performance issues, such as stuttering or excessive map clutter.
Intriguingly, NetEase’s restrictive measures have pushed the community to innovate further. Another workaround entails reading game files as pre-unpacked, offering yet another route back to modding glory. However, users tread this avenue at their own risk. The potential downsides include damaging an SSD or introducing further performance issues, particularly when meddling with character models.
NetEase’s warning against modding is explicit, if not currently enforced with bans. “It is not recommended to modify any game files, as doing so carries the risk of getting banned,” they remarked to IGN. While widespread ban waves haven’t hit mod users yet, the possibility looms large—transforming modding into a gamble that may not justify its potential risks.
Closing Credits
Marvel Rivals’ move to restrict modding is hardly shocking, even if many creative mods are now obsolete. As updates increase game stability and a broad range of available skins negates the necessity for modded characters, players might find some solace. Even so, the allure of modding persists, combining creativity with functionality, and birthing a corner of the gaming world that’s sometimes too enticing to ignore. Keeping pace with these developments is crucial, as each update from NetEase and the modding community shapes the ongoing battle over the future of Marvel Rivals.
