Marvel Rivals: An Ambitious Hero Release Schedule

Marvel Rivals, NetEase's hit third-person hero shooter, launched in December 2024 with 33 playable characters and has already amassed 20 million players in its first month. The game's success is fueling an ambitious plan: adding a new hero approximately every 45 days.

This aggressive release schedule, aiming for eight new heroes annually, significantly surpasses competitors like Overwatch 2. Game Director Guangyun Chen confirmed this strategy, detailing a two-hero-per-season rollout across three-month seasons. The Fantastic Four serves as the initial example of this post-launch content, with Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman already available, and The Thing and Human Torch anticipated later in Season 1. Season 1 also includes two new New York City maps.

The feasibility of this rapid release is, however, a point of discussion among fans. While NetEase has access to a vast roster of Marvel characters—even including less mainstream choices—concerns center on the development and rigorous testing required for each hero. Balancing a new hero against 37 existing characters and approximately 100 abilities presents a significant challenge. The potential for a shortage of innovative abilities also looms. Unless NetEase has a substantial reserve of pre-developed heroes, maintaining this pace seems daunting to many players.

Despite these concerns, players can anticipate the arrival of the remaining Fantastic Four members as Season 1 progresses. Additional content, such as new maps or in-game events, is also possible in the season's second half. Fans are encouraged to monitor Marvel Rivals' social media channels for updates.