Mods featuring custom skins for characters in Marvel Rivals had just started gaining traction when developers at NetEase banned their use with the launch of the first season.

You may think it is somehow connected with Trump and Biden mods. However, there might be more reasons for such a decision.

Del Walker—an artist who has worked with Rocksteady, Respawn, Naughty Dog, and SEGA—explained, fan-made skins can pose numerous potential issues:

  • Impact on Gameplay Balance: Some mods could make opponents more visible, for instance, by causing them to glow. Even though these modifications are client-side only, they can give players an unfair advantage and disrupt game balance.
  • Increased Server Load: Poorly optimized mods can unintentionally increase server strain. While the skin itself runs locally, it could lead to unexpected consequences, such as servers needing to recheck certain systems during matches.
  • Reputation Risks: Mods featuring explicit or inappropriate content can harm the game’s reputation. For example, the infamous incident with a nude Chun-Li mod during a Street Fighter tournament highlighted why such skins are better off blocked entirely.
  • Moderation Challenges: Managing and approving which mods are acceptable and which aren’t can become a significant burden. It also opens the door to accusations of bias or public relations controversies, which developers would rather avoid. In many cases, these mods use copyrighted designs, leading to potential legal issues.

Add to that potential risk of losing money, because it disincentivizes people to buy skins, and you've got a full combo of points against modding in service games. As for Marvel Rivals, people find the way to implement new modes, but it might get you banned, so we don't recommend doing it.

Main image: nexusmods.com

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