The Marvel Rivals Bot Conspiracy, Explained

Marvel Rivals' Popularity Shadowed by Bot Concerns

Despite topping Steam and Twitch charts, Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games' new hero shooter, faces growing player suspicion regarding the use of bots in its Quickplay matches. The game, lauded for its style and iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Wolverine, boasts a large player base. However, weeks after launch, a significant number of players are reporting encounters with what they believe are AI opponents in standard Quickplay modes, not just the designated practice modes.

Reddit users have voiced their frustration, stating that playing against bots in Quickplay undermines the competitive experience. They argue that AI opponents should be confined to dedicated AI modes. The concern isn't limited to individual players; some report that even their teammates are sometimes replaced by bots.

While the exact trigger for these bot-filled matches remains unclear, a prevalent theory suggests that Marvel Rivals employs this tactic to mitigate player frustration after consecutive losses and to reduce queue times. However, the lack of transparency from NetEase regarding the presence and purpose of bots in Quickplay is fueling the controversy.

Players have identified several potential indicators of bot matches, including repetitive and unusual in-game behavior, similar player names (often single words in all caps or oddly structured), and, most notably, enemy profiles labeled "restricted." This lack of clarity frustrates players who struggle to distinguish genuine skill improvement from artificially inflated wins against AI.

The use of bots in online games is not new, but the situation in Marvel Rivals has prompted calls for a toggle to enable or disable bot matches, or even for their complete removal from Quickplay. Some players, however, view bot matches as opportunities to complete specific hero achievements.

One Reddit user, ciaranxy, initiated a community discussion highlighting the lack of player choice regarding bot encounters in Quickplay. The user's experience, along with anecdotal evidence from other players, including the author, points to the prevalence of suspicious matches featuring characteristics consistent with bot participation.

NetEase has yet to publicly address these concerns. Despite this controversy, the company plans to continue expanding Marvel Rivals in 2025, with the Fantastic Four's arrival in Season 1 and a promise of new heroes every half-season. A new Spider-Man skin is also on the horizon. The future of Marvel Rivals hinges on NetEase's response to these persistent concerns about the integrity of its competitive gameplay.