NetEase has disabled the ability to use mods in the hero shooter Marvel Rivals with the Season 1 update. While players are complaining about problems installing them, the publisher is threatening to block them.
The launch of Season 1 not only added the Fantastic Four, a new map, and a battle pass. Players have discovered that custom mods simply don't work anymore. It turns out that the update also added file verification, so all unofficial add-ons have been disabled.
While users are storming the official Marvel Rivals Discord server, publisher and developer NetEase has given a laconic answer to IGN: «It is not recommended to modify any game files, as doing so carries the risk of getting banned». Presumably, mods threaten revenue from selling premium character skins (like the recent Sue Storm skin), and the company has decided to remove the monetization obstacle.
Marvel Rivals updated its peak online yesterday. The new record was set at 644 thousand concurrent players.