Several players of the popular free-to-play shooter Marvel Rivals on Macs are reporting mass account bans after using Windows emulation software to play the game. The game, which currently lacks a dedicated macOS client, can be played on Macs using programs like Crossover. However, players using this workaround are finding their accounts blocked. Players also claimed being hit with 100-year bans for discovering methods to run the Windows version of the game on macOS. This issue highlights the challenges faced by macOS gamers who want to play titles without native support for their operating system. Marvel Rivals is also available on Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S consoles.
How this issue is affecting Marvel Rivals players on Macs
Affected players complained about encountering a message upon logging in that states a “Penalty Issued” due to a “detected” violation. Labelled as “cheating” by the game, these players reportedly faced account suspensions, sometimes extending over a century.
The issue likely stems from the anti-cheat software used by Marvel Rivals, which is designed to detect cheating tools and other irregularities indicative of sophisticated cheating methods. Since players are using Crossover to run the game on macOS instead of Windows, the software may have mistakenly flagged this as suspicious activity.
How players are trying to fix the issue
According to a report by AppleInsider, CodeWeavers CEO James Ramey said that the company is in contact with NetEase Games to address the issue. He is seeking a solution that would enable macOS players to access the game.
While acknowledging that the decision ultimately lies with NetEase Games, Ramey emphasised that Crossover is being used legitimately and not as a tool for cheating.
“I am sure that if we are successful that this will be widely announced. Otherwise, we will continue to plead our case,” Ramey added.
If Marvel Rivals maintains long-term popularity, an iOS port—and potentially a macOS port—could be possible. However, for now, players are advised against using emulation to play the game on macOS until an official method is provided by the developers.