Marvel Rivals is set to enhance its gameplay experience with a thrilling announcement from the developers about their plan to introduce new heroes monthly and shorten the duration of upcoming seasons. Dive in to discover what's on the horizon post-Season 2, including fresh characters and enticing new skins.
Marvel Rivals Upcoming Changes
New Heroes Every Month
In an effort to maintain the excitement that the game experienced at launch, NetEase has decided to roll out new heroes on a monthly basis rather than sticking to the original plan of two heroes per season. This exciting development was shared by Marvel Rivals' Creative Director Guangguang and Lead Combat Designer Zhiyong during the Marvel Rivals’ Dev Vision Vol. 05 on April 4, alongside details on adjustments planned for future seasons.
The team has decided to shorten the season length from three months to two starting from Season 3. This change will allow them to introduce a new hero each month. Guangguang explained, "After extensive internal discussions and thorough evaluation, we’ve decided that starting from Season 3, the seasons will shift to a two-month format, with a new hero debuting each month."
The pressure to keep the game as thrilling as it has been since its December launch has been heightened by discussions on social media. In response, the developers are also considering adding new game modes in the future to keep the game fresh and engaging. If implemented, this could mean up to 12 new heroes added to Marvel Rivals annually.
Balancing these frequent hero releases is a significant challenge, but Guangguang has shared the team's strategy in a previous interview with PC Gamer on March 14. He stressed the importance of using key metric data from all game modes, including pick rates, win rates, stats, and abilities, to guide their balancing efforts. "This data serves as the foundation for our balancing efforts," he noted.
Season 2 Details and Future Plans
Season 2, dubbed Hellfire Gala, introduces a new adventure where Marvel Heroes are invited by the upcoming hero Emma Frost to explore the Mutant haven of Living Island Krakoa. Emma Frost, an X-Men villain with telepathic powers and the ability to transform objects into diamonds, will join the game as a Vanguard.
The Hellfire Gala is set to be a lavish event, with the season's trailer showcasing new skins for characters like Luna Snow, Magneto, Cloak and Dagger, and Black Panther, all dressed in elegant formal wear. The event draws inspiration from Marvel’s Hellfire Club, a society of the wealthy and elite who wield influence over world events.
Following Emma Frost's introduction, Season 2.5 will bring the iconic villain Ultron into the fray. The Hellfire Gala trailer teases a dramatic interruption by a swarm of Ultron robots intent on initiating the Age of Ultron. Details about Ultron's integration into the game are yet to be disclosed.
Thor’s Lord of Asgard and Hawkeye’s Ronin Skins Available Now!
Marvel Rivals took to Twitter (X) on April 4 to announce the availability of new skins for Thor and Hawkeye. Thor's Lord of Asgard skin reflects his revival by Odin in the comics, while Hawkeye's Ronin skin captures his time as a vigilante samurai.
The Thor Rune King bundle includes the Rune King costume, spray, nameplate, The Omniscient MVP, and Well of Mimir emote. Meanwhile, the Hawkeye Ronin bundle offers the Ronin skin, spray, nameplate, Deadly Rain MVP, and Hone to Perfection emote.
These exciting changes underscore NetEase’s commitment to supporting Marvel Rivals for the next decade and beyond. Marvel Rivals is accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest on Marvel Rivals by checking out our article below!
