NetEase Games is making significant adjustments to the Marvel Rivals post-launch roadmap, aiming to shorten its seasons and introduce at least one new hero every month. This change is designed to sustain the game's live service momentum and keep players engaged.
These updates were hinted at in the recent Marvel Rivals Season 2 Dev Vision Vol. 5 video. The video, which lasts 15 minutes, outlined that Season 2, launching on April 11, will introduce Emma Frost as the new Vanguard. Mid-season, players can expect Ultron, with his class to be revealed closer to his release. Both characters will bring new abilities to the game, setting the stage for more impactful changes starting with Season 3.
In Marvel Rivals Season 3, which doesn't have a set release date yet, NetEase plans to reduce the season length from three months to two. This adjustment will accelerate major content updates without altering the commitment to release at least one new hero every half-season. This means players will experience shorter waits between new hero introductions, enhancing the game's dynamism.
Marvel Rivals creative director Guangyun Chen shared insights in the Dev Vision video, stating, "Since the launch of Season 1, we’ve been deeply contemplating how Marvel Rivals can continuously deliver fun and engaging experiences for you all." He acknowledged the pressure from social media feedback to maintain the game's excitement since its December launch. Chen emphasized NetEase's goal to fulfill players' fantasies about Marvel Super Heroes by exploring new modes and introducing a diverse roster of characters. Following extensive internal discussions, NetEase will adjust its systems to accommodate the increased content flow, with more details to be shared before Season 3 launches.
Just hours ago, NetEase unveiled details about Marvel Rivals Season 2, announcing a shift from the vampire takeover theme to a new storyline centered around the Hellfire Gala. This change will bring new outfits, maps, and characters, with further information to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Since its launch in December, Marvel Rivals has been a massive success, attracting 10 million players within just three days. The game, a free-to-play superhero team-based PvP shooter, is available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. The launch on Steam was particularly notable, with 480,990 concurrent players. Season 1 in January saw an impressive peak of 644,269 concurrent players, making Marvel Rivals the 15th most-played game on Valve's platform.
However, the number of concurrent players has declined since then, prompting NetEase's roadmap overhaul. Despite this, Marvel Rivals remains highly popular and ranks among Steam's top-played games. The launch of Season 2 and the anticipated Season 3 are expected to reinvigorate player interest.
For more insights on Marvel Rivals, check out the patch notes for update version 20250327 and learn why Disney decided to scrap an idea for a Marvel Gaming Universe.
