Marvel Rivals Announces Frequency of New Hero Releases

Summary

• Marvel Rivals plans to add a new hero about every 45 days, totaling eight heroes yearly.
• The title launched with 33 playable heroes.
• Many fans think this sounds too ambitious, with the time required to playtest new heroes causing concerns.

Marvel Rivals, the exciting new third-person hero shooter that has captivated the online gaming community since its December 2024 release, is set to introduce new heroes every 45 days. With an impressive launch featuring 33 playable heroes, including iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Wolverine, and The Hulk, the game has quickly amassed a staggering 20 million players within its first month.

As Season 1 progresses, Marvel Rivals is already rolling out new content, including the addition of the Fantastic Four as post-launch heroes. Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman are currently available in-game, with The Thing and Human Torch slated for release in the latter half of the season. Additionally, Season 1 has introduced two new maps set in New York City, enriching the game's environment for Marvel fans to explore and battle in.

In a recent interview with Metro, Marvel Rivals' Game Director Guangyun Chen shared insights on the game's content update schedule. Chen outlined that each three-month season would be divided into two halves, with a new hero being introduced during each segment. This ambitious plan aims to bring a new hero to the game approximately every 45 days, resulting in a total of eight new heroes annually—surpassing the yearly output of three new heroes from competitor Overwatch 2.

Marvel Rivals Wants to Release a New Hero Every 45 Days

This goal is undeniably ambitious, and it remains to be seen if Marvel Rivals can successfully execute it. The game has access to a vast array of Marvel Comics characters, and the inclusion of unique heroes like Jeff the Shark and Squirrel Girl demonstrates NetEase's willingness to explore less conventional options. However, the primary concern among fans revolves around the tight development timeline. Each new hero must undergo extensive testing and balancing, considering interactions with 37 other heroes and around 100 abilities. There's also the risk of running out of fresh ideas for abilities. Unless Marvel Rivals has a substantial reserve of unreleased heroes ready to deploy, maintaining a new hero every 45 days could prove challenging.

As Season 1 continues, fans can anticipate the arrival of the remaining Fantastic Four members as the season's midpoint nears. There might also be additional surprises in store, such as new maps or in-game events during the second half of Season 1. Marvel Rivals enthusiasts should stay tuned to the game's social media channels for the latest updates in the coming weeks.