Marvel Fans to Receive Regular New Hero Updates

Marvel Rivals: A Hero Every 45 Days? An Ambitious Plan

Marvel Rivals, NetEase's hit third-person hero shooter, launched in December 2024 with a roster of 33 playable heroes. The game's phenomenal success, attracting 20 million players in its first month, has fueled an aggressive content release schedule. The developer aims to introduce a new hero approximately every 45 days, resulting in a projected eight new heroes annually. This surpasses the yearly hero additions of competitors like Overwatch 2.

Season 1, already underway, showcases this ambitious plan. The Fantastic Four are being released in stages, with Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman already available, and The Thing and Human Torch slated for the second half of the season. Two new New York City maps further enhance the gameplay experience.

Game Director Guangyun Chen confirmed the 45-day hero release cadence in an interview with Metro. Each three-month season will feature two new heroes, a significant undertaking considering the extensive playtesting and balancing required for each character, interacting with 37 existing heroes and approximately 100 abilities.

The feasibility of this rapid release schedule is a point of discussion among fans. While NetEase has access to a vast library of Marvel characters, including lesser-known heroes like Jeff the Shark and Squirrel Girl, concerns remain about the compressed development time. The potential for ability innovation exhaustion and the need for a substantial reserve of pre-developed heroes are key considerations.

Looking ahead, players eagerly 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 expected in the second half of Season 1. Players are advised to monitor Marvel Rivals' social media channels for the latest updates.