Addressing the Roster Imbalance
NetEase Games, the developer behind the upcoming hero shooter Marvel Rivals, is actively listening to community feedback regarding its character roster. Creative Director Guangyun Chen has acknowledged concerns about the current overrepresentation of 'Duelist' type characters within the game.
Currently, out of 41 total characters in Marvel Rivals, a significant 22 are classified as Duelists. This contrasts sharply with the 10 Defenders and 9 Strategists available. This imbalance, particularly with two new Duelists arriving in the current season, has been a point of contention among players.
In a discussion with Rivals Assembled, Chen assured players that the development team is committed to rebalancing the numbers of Duelists, Strategists, and Defenders in the future. However, he cautioned that this process will take time. "The selection, development, and release of characters take quite a long time," Chen explained. "The characters we are discussing now will only appear next year. We realize the problem and are systematically working on it. Balance cannot be fixed with the snap of a finger, but over time we will achieve harmony."
Skin Design Philosophy and Player Reception
Another topic Chen addressed was the design of character skins, particularly questions regarding their perceived sexualization. Chen stated that the team draws inspiration directly from Marvel comics. "We take iconic comic book designs as our foundation and develop more modern and fashionable designs that players will surely enjoy," he said.
He further emphasized that all released skins are designed to fit the themes and storylines of specific seasons. Real-world events, such as Chinese New Year or summer, also influence costume creation. For example, beach-themed outfits were introduced during the warmer months to align with the season. Chen expressed satisfaction that "most users have positively received the skin designs."
No Engagement-Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM)
During the interview, Chen also confirmed that Marvel Rivals does not use Engagement Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM). EOMM is a system designed to maximize player retention and involvement, often by manipulating match outcomes (e.g., pairing a losing player with a team that can easily win, or a winning player with a more challenging match-up).
Chen revealed that NetEase Games plans to release a detailed video explaining Marvel Rivals' matchmaking system in the coming weeks. This transparency aims to reassure players about the fairness and integrity of the game's competitive environment.
Overall, Chen's statements indicate that the Marvel Rivals team is listening to its community and planning long-term improvements for character diversity and a fair gameplay experience, even if these changes won't be immediate.
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