Marvel Rivals Reveals How Often Fans Can Expect New Heroes

Marvel Rivals: An Ambitious Hero Release Schedule

Marvel Rivals, the hit third-person hero shooter, launched in December 2024 with a roster of 33 playable heroes. Its phenomenal success, attracting 20 million players in its first month, is fueled by a bold strategy: adding a new hero approximately every 45 days.

This aggressive release schedule, aiming for eight new heroes annually, significantly surpasses competitors like Overwatch 2. Each three-month season will feature two new heroes, with the Fantastic Four serving as the initial post-launch additions. Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman are already available, while The Thing and Human Torch are slated for the second half of Season 1. Season 1 also includes two new New York City maps.

Game Director Guangyun Chen confirmed this ambitious plan in an interview with Metro. However, concerns arise regarding the development time required for thorough testing and balancing each new hero within the existing game's complex system of 37 heroes and approximately 100 abilities. The potential for creative limitations regarding new abilities is also a factor. Unless NetEase has a substantial reserve of pre-developed heroes, maintaining this pace seems a significant challenge.

Despite these concerns, the game's diverse hero pool, including less conventional characters like Jeff the Shark and Squirrel Girl, demonstrates NetEase's willingness to explore the vast Marvel universe. Players eagerly anticipate the arrival of the remaining Fantastic Four members and potentially new maps or events in Season 1's second half. Keep an eye on Marvel Rivals' social media for updates.