Ex-WoW Designer Highlights Marvel Rivals’ Evolving Gameplay Strategy

In the landscape of MMOs, some games have begun to feel somewhat stale over the years. Design patterns tend to repeat themselves, making it crucial for developers to innovate. As a former WoW designer, Chris Kaleiki, who has 13 years of experience at Blizzard, has shared insights on how to keep classes interesting.

Kaleiki argues that adopting concepts from MOBAs and hero shooters, such as Marvel Rivals, can be instrumental in refreshing gameplay. In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, he stated:

“The only solution I think is you have to change the meta continually. If you look at Marvel Rivals, actually, it’s kind of interesting what NetEase did… What they’re planning to do, which I think is smart, is that every season or every now and then they’ll just change them.”

Essentially, to keep the gameplay engaging, the meta must change:
Players need to constantly evaluate what is optimal, and this fluidity is what keeps everyone invested.

Furthermore, discussing his current project, Legacy: Steel & Sorcery, which focuses on PvPvE mechanics, Kaleiki mentions plans to alter resource availability to enhance gameplay variety.

Understanding that player attachment to their chosen classes is vital, he emphasizes the importance of caution when implementing changes in gameplay mechanics.