"Marvel Rivals to Launch Monthly Heroes from Season 3"

Marvel Rivals: A Fresh Wave of Heroes and Shorter Seasons Starting Season 3

The excitement surrounding Marvel Rivals continues to build as NetEase, the game's developer, unveils their ambitious plan to inject even more thrill into the gameplay starting from Season 3. In a recent Dev Vision Vol. 05 update on April 4, Creative Director Guangguang and Lead Combat Designer Zhiyong shared their strategy to keep the game dynamic and engaging by introducing new heroes on a monthly basis, moving away from the initial plan of two heroes per season.

Marvel Rivals Upcoming Changes

New Heroes Every Month

To maintain the game's freshness and appeal, Marvel Rivals will now see a new hero debut every month. This shift in strategy was announced with the intention of shortening each season from three months to two, starting with Season 3. "After extensive internal discussions and thorough evaluation, we’ve decided that starting from Season 3, the seasons will shift to a two-month format, with a new hero debuting each month," Guangguang explained.

The decision to accelerate the release of new heroes comes in response to community feedback and the desire to keep the game as exciting as it was at launch. Social media discussions have played a significant role in pushing the developers to innovate further. There are also plans in the works to introduce new game modes, although specifics have yet to be announced. With these changes, players could potentially see up to 12 new heroes added to the game annually.

Balancing such a rapid influx of heroes is no small feat, but Guangguang has reassured fans that the team is prepared. In a previous interview with PC Gamer on March 14, he highlighted the importance of data-driven balancing, mentioning key metrics like pick rates, win rates, and ability stats as crucial elements in their approach.

Season 2 Details and Future Plans

Season 2, dubbed the Hellfire Gala, introduces players to a new setting on the Mutant haven of the Living Island Krakoa, courtesy of the upcoming hero Emma Frost. An X-Men villain known for her telepathic powers and diamond transformation abilities, Emma Frost will serve as a Vanguard in the game.

The Hellfire Gala event promises a lavish celebration, with the trailer showcasing new skins for popular characters like Luna Snow, Magneto, Cloak and Dagger, and Black Panther, all dressed in elegant and formal attire. The event draws inspiration from Marvel’s Hellfire Club, a society of the wealthy and influential who manipulate global events.

Following Emma Frost's introduction, Season 2.5 will bring the notorious villain Ultron into the fray. The trailer hints at a dramatic interruption of the gala by Ultron robots, signaling the beginning of the Age of Ultron. Further details about Ultron's role and abilities remain under wraps for now.

Thor’s Lord of Asgard and Hawkeye’s Ronin Skins Available Now!

In addition to the seasonal updates, Marvel Rivals announced on Twitter (X) on April 4 that new skins for Thor and Hawkeye are now available. Thor's Lord of Asgard skin reflects his revival by Odin in the comics, while Hawkeye's Ronin skin captures his vigilante samurai phase. The Thor Rune King bundle includes a costume, spray, nameplate, The Omniscient MVP, and Well of Mimir emote. Similarly, the Hawkeye Ronin bundle offers a skin, spray, nameplate, Deadly Rain MVP, and Hone to Perfection emote.

These updates and new content releases underscore NetEase's dedication to supporting Marvel Rivals for the long haul, with a commitment to a 10-year plan and beyond. Marvel Rivals is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for more exciting developments and keep up with the latest news by checking out our dedicated articles.