Marvel Rivals, a new title by NetEase, made a strong debut with 33 heroes, seven maps, and even an in-game tournament section. The director, Guangyun Chen, noted the game’s hope to develop a competitive scene while also ensuring that casual players have a fulfilling experience.

Game Difficulty Balance

Guangyun stated:
“We’ve actually been thinking about this on a broader scale, looking at the picture as a whole. We really hope that when we do the competitive modes or tournaments, they will co-exist with our quick play. That’s because we’ve been seeing a lot of other successful titles being able to pull off a competitive environment and a quick play environment both healthily at the same time. We’ll be taking a lot of references from them to ultimately let both player pools thrive.”
“We’ve been observing how successful titles like Valorant and Fortnite manage their competitive and casual gameplay and aim to implement similar strategies in Marvel Rivals.

Lessons from Overwatch

The implications of a competitive scene that mirrors the trajectory of games like Overwatch were outlined as complex. Overwatch, once a dominant esports contender, faced identity challenges as it gradually transformed, favoring professional players over casual gamers. Marvel Rivals aims to prevent this division.

Final Thoughts

Guangyun concluded:
“The team wants every kind of player to enjoy the game in their own way. Instead of just focusing on tournament results or quick play, we’ll take a broader look at the overall balance data on all heroes in all modes.”
This proactive approach suggests ongoing adjustments based on player preferences and data-driven insights, ensuring that all players have a chance to thrive.