Marvel Rivals: An Ambitious Hero Release Schedule
Marvel Rivals, NetEase's hit third-person hero shooter, launched in December 2024 with 33 playable heroes and has already amassed 20 million players in its first month. The game's ambitious plan? Adding a new hero approximately every 45 days, resulting in eight new heroes annually. This significantly surpasses the output of competitors like Overwatch 2.
Season 1, currently underway, showcases this aggressive release strategy. The Fantastic Four are the first post-launch additions, with Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman already available, and The Thing and Human Torch slated for the second half of the season. Two new New York City maps further enhance the gameplay experience.
Game Director Guangyun Chen confirmed the 45-day hero release cadence in an interview with Metro. Each three-month season will feature two new heroes, one in each half.
The Feasibility of the Plan
While NetEase has a vast roster of Marvel characters to choose from, including lesser-known heroes, concerns exist regarding the rapid release schedule. Thorough playtesting and balancing are crucial with 37 heroes and approximately 100 abilities to consider. The potential for creative limitations regarding new abilities also presents a challenge. Unless NetEase possesses a substantial reserve of pre-developed heroes, maintaining this pace appears daunting to many players.
Looking Ahead
Fans can anticipate the remaining Fantastic Four members soon. The second half of Season 1 may also introduce additional content, such as new maps or in-game events. Players are encouraged to follow Marvel Rivals' social media for updates.
