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NetEase Rules Out Original Heroes for Marvel Rivals as Monthly Cadence Continues

The studio will lean on Marvel’s deep roster to prioritize cleaner menus with fresher play styles.

Overview

  • NetEase, speaking at GDC 2026 on Wednesday, said Marvel Rivals will not add original or non‑Marvel characters for now.
  • Developers reaffirmed a one‑hero‑per‑month schedule and said the pace is not going to slow down.
  • The team flagged UI optimization as a top task so players can quickly find favorites and spot new heroes in a swelling roster.
  • Leads said upcoming additions will push more varied play mechanics so new heroes do not feel like copy‑paste kits.
  • Recent friction points include confusing balance changes and a streamer bounty trend that fueled match throwing, which NetEase answered with a Victim Compensation Protocol.