Players of the recently released hero shooter Marvel Rivals have found a way to exploit the game's systems to end matches prematurely without incurring any penalties. This exploit allows players to abandon a match they are losing without consequence, contributing to a frustrating experience in the game's ranked mode.
Reports indicate that the exploit involves players intentionally triggering the game's anti-cheat detection by editing configuration files during a match. To execute this, a player briefly exits the game, modifies a config file, and then re-enters the match after moving the altered file to a separate folder. This action causes Marvel Rivals to interpret the modification as cheating, resulting in an immediate match termination. Crucially, the players employing this method are reportedly not receiving any penalties, such as rank point deductions or matchmaking suspensions.
Editing Marvel Rivals' config files is not entirely new. Many players have modified these files to address performance issues on PC, tweaking settings not accessible through the in-game menus. Other common modifications include removing visual effects like fog to improve visibility or disabling mouse smoothing for more direct control. However, the latest discovery weaponizes this practice to avoid the negative repercussions of leaving a competitive match.
While NetEase, the game's developer, had previously issued warnings to players altering config files a few months ago, there has been no widespread enforcement of bans. This new exploit, which directly undermines the integrity of ranked play, may prompt a more stringent response from the developer. Ideally, NetEase will implement measures to prevent players from ending matches without penalty while also providing more robust in-game options to address performance concerns and customizable gameplay settings. The game recently entered Season 9.5 with the addition of the tank character, The Hood.