Marvel Rivals has quickly become a popular hero shooter but places less emphasis on competitive balance than its counterparts, focusing instead on fun. Danny Koo, the executive producer for Marvel Games, shared during an interview at GDC:

“So every character we balance for fun, first and foremost, as in if the character is fun or not [to play], that’s always number one.”

This principle guides their approach, assuring players that while win rates and balance are monitored, they remain secondary to enjoyment.

In Marvel Rivals, chaotic team fights combined with powerful character abilities create an engaging casual experience. Koo also emphasizes that casual play will dominate most players’ experiences:

“This game is built to be more acceptable for casual play. People just want to have fun at the end of the day—that balance for fun is always the key number one priority of anything.”