Marvel Rivals Dev Says They're Not Trolling Dataminers - 'We'd Rather Spend Our Time Developing the Game'

Marvel Rivals' developers address dataminer speculation about future characters. Dataminers have uncovered a list of potential characters within the game's code, sparking debate about their authenticity. Some believe the developers are intentionally misleading them, while others remain optimistic.

NetEase and Marvel Games executives Weicong Wu and Danny Koo addressed these rumors directly. While acknowledging the presence of various character concepts and prototypes in the code – a byproduct of their extensive design process – they denied any deliberate attempt to mislead dataminers. Wu explained that the code reflects explored directions, some of which may or may not materialize in future updates. The final decision hinges on player expectations and maintaining balanced gameplay. Koo likened the situation to finding a discarded notebook filled with brainstorming notes.

The selection process for new characters involves a year-long planning horizon, aiming for a new character release every six weeks. NetEase prioritizes balancing the roster and adding variety, focusing on new additions rather than extensive adjustments to existing characters. They consider factors like current community excitement and upcoming Marvel projects (films, comics) when making their final choices. The numerous characters in the code simply reflect the breadth of their ongoing ideation.

The game's success continues with the upcoming addition of the Human Torch and The Thing on February 21st. A potential Nintendo Switch 2 release is also under consideration.