Marvel Rivals' Popularity Shadowed by Bot Concerns

Despite topping Steam and Twitch charts, Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games' hero shooter, faces growing player suspicion regarding the prevalence of bots in its matches. The game's December launch garnered significant praise for its style and use of iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Wolverine, resulting in a large and active player base. However, weeks of discussion on social media highlight concerns about AI opponents appearing in standard Quickplay matches.

Many players report encountering matches where opponents exhibit unusually simplistic behavior, share similar or suspiciously structured names (e.g., all-caps single words or name combinations), and consistently display "restricted" career profiles. The prevailing theory suggests that Marvel Rivals might strategically place players into bot-filled matches after a series of losses, potentially to prevent player frustration and maintain quick queue times.

NetEase has yet to publicly address these concerns, fueling speculation and prompting players to share their experiences and identify potential indicators of bot matches. The lack of transparency regarding the use of bots in Quickplay is a key point of contention. Some players advocate for a toggle to enable or disable bot matches, while others demand their complete removal. A segment of the player base, however, views bot matches as opportunities to practice or complete specific hero achievements.

The issue highlights a recurring debate in online gaming regarding the use of bots to manage matchmaking and player experience. While some players find them acceptable, many view their presence as undermining fair gameplay and skill progression. One player, ciaranxy, initiated a community discussion emphasizing the lack of player choice in encountering these matches.

The author confirms personally encountering a suspicious Quickplay match exhibiting characteristics consistent with player reports: unresponsive player movement, similarly formatted names, and multiple players with restricted profiles. NetEase has been contacted for comment.

Despite this controversy, NetEase's plans for Marvel Rivals in 2025 remain ambitious, including the introduction of the Fantastic Four in Season 1 and a commitment to releasing at least one new hero per half-season. A new Spider-Man skin is also anticipated later this month. The game's future success may hinge on addressing these bot concerns and maintaining player trust. Further information regarding the use of bots in Marvel Rivals is pending NetEase's response.