As *Marvel Rivals* continues to dominate the Steam and Twitch charts, a growing concern among fans is casting a shadow over their experience with NetEase Games' latest hero shooter: the presence of bots.

Launched in December, *Marvel Rivals* quickly earned critical acclaim and fan adoration for its stylish gameplay and innovative use of iconic characters such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the newly introduced Fantastic Four. Its success is evident with hundreds of thousands of players still engaging daily on Steam, according to SteamDB. Despite avoiding many common pitfalls in the genre, the game has sparked weeks of debate over the use of AI enemies in various game modes.

"I know people may feel differently, but playing against bots in (Quickplay) just doesn't feel good at all to me," expressed one Reddit user. "AI should be in AI modes and that's it."

Marvel Rivals Tier List: Best Heroes

Marvel Rivals Tier List: Best Heroes

Like many multiplayer games over the past 15 years, *Marvel Rivals* includes practice modes where players face off against AI opponents, often called "bots." These modes allow players to adjust the difficulty level, making them excellent for skill improvement or as a break from the intensity of matches against human opponents. However, the game has faced scrutiny due to reports of bots appearing in regular Quickplay matches.

Over recent weeks, social media has been inundated with posts from players suspecting they are matched against low-level bots, and some have noted their teammates being replaced by bots as well. The prevailing theory suggests that *Marvel Rivals* might introduce these easier matches following consecutive player losses, possibly to prevent discouragement and expedite matchmaking processes.

NetEase has not provided clear information on whether bots are used in Quickplay, leaving players in the dark. The lack of transparency has fueled discussions on social media, where players attempt to identify bot indicators such as repetitive in-game behaviors, similar teammate names, and restricted career profiles.

"The fact that you can even get bot games after wins and that the game doesn't tell you that you're against bots is what gets me about this," another Reddit user shared. "You don't want to learn new heroes in comp because people will understandably rage at you for doing that, but if you try to learn a hero in (Quickplay) you now have to second guess if you actually are getting any better on that hero or if the game is just making you think you are because it's handing you free wins in the form of bots."

The debate over bots in multiplayer games is not new, with similar discussions having taken place in games like Fortnite. In *Marvel Rivals*, opinions vary, with some players advocating for a toggle to opt out of bot matches, while others demand their complete removal. Conversely, a segment of the player base appreciates these matches as opportunities to achieve specific hero milestones. Reddit user ciaranxy, who noticed suspicious matches shortly after the game's release, urged the community to scrutinize their own games.

"So, you can choose to believe this is an issue or not – that is your CHOICE," ciaranxy stated. "But – for everyone else – when you press Quickplay, NetEase does not give you a choice."

If you've spent considerable time playing *Marvel Rivals*, chances are you've encountered one of these questionable lobbies. I can personally attest to experiencing at least one suspicious Quickplay match exhibiting signs such as unnatural player movements, uniform naming conventions, and restricted profiles for both teammates and opponents. We've reached out to NetEase for clarification on these concerns and the potential use of bots in *Marvel Rivals*.

While the community continues to investigate the bot situation, players have discovered ways to counter these AI opponents, such as using Invisible Woman to halt bots, as detailed here. Despite this controversy, NetEase is looking forward to a promising future in 2025, beginning with the introduction of the Fantastic Four in Season 1: Eternal Night Falls. Creative director Guangyun Chen has committed to releasing a new hero every half-season, and fans can soon look forward to acquiring Peter Parker's Advanced Suit 2.0 from Marvel's Spider-Man.