Breakdown
- A new report from TheStreamr suggests that NetEase is developing an Overwatch-style hero shooter based on the Marvel IP.
- The report suggests that the game will feature a Valorant-like art style and be a third-person shooter
- 19 characters have been suggested as part of the roster, with the game currently in pre-alpha stage
UPDATE: After the recent rumours surrounding the potential 'Marvel Rivals' game, the Marvel Games Twitter account is teasing a reveal of an upcoming game tomorrow, at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET / 3 PM GMT. The tweet teases that "An evil experiment has caused a unique disruption in the timestream. Who will be pulled into this epic showdown?".
The tweet includes an image of multiple blurred out characters. While there's no concrete information as to whether this is the rumoured 6v6 Overwatch-style game, we're excited to see whether the reports below are true.
The original article continues below.
ORIGINAL:
It's pretty surprising that Marvel hasn't been developed into a unique hero shooter, considering the cast of characters that the comics, games, and the ever-popular MCU offers. However, that could be changing soon, as recent reports suggest a game, potentially called 'Marvel Rivals' is in development with NetEase Games.
In a report from TheStreamr, alongside tweets from leaker Kurakasis, NetEase Games are currently developing a hero shooter starring an assortment of popular and lesser-known Marvel characters, which has been compared to the likes of Overwatch.
It's reportedly a third-person shooter, and while the images seen by TheStreamr aren't published in the report, it suggests that the graphical style is somewhat similar to Valorant, the competitive FPS title from Riot Games. The report has some truth to it, at least when it comes to the developer, considering that Marvel and NetEase Games worked on a deal for some Marvel games back in 2019.
While the name Marvel Rivals hasn't been confirmed, with TheStreamr calling it Untitled Marvel Game in most of the report, the name Marvel Rivals is simple, yet exciting. We hope this does become the official name, but much like the reported 19 characters for the hero shooter, this could be changed.
Some of the rumoured characters are the likes of Iron Man, Magneto, and Spider-Man, but the game will have plenty of variety, with heroes such as Groot, Magik, Peni Parker. Interestingly, the report suggests that the game will feature Luna Snow, who debuted in the Netmarble's mobile exclusive, Marvel Future Fight.
The game will supposedly feature skins, one called "Steampunk Iron Man" as the main mention of an alternate cosmetic. We wouldn't be surprised if the game is announced as a free-to-play title, with the same report suggesting that there won't be any pay-to-win purchases.
Of course, it's worth taking these reports with a pinch of salt. For obvious reasons, TheStreamr and Kurakasis couldn't share images of the game, which is reportedly in the pre-alpha stage right now, but that gives us pause to question the validity even somewhat. However, we can't say that we don't like the idea - in fact, I'd love to see a Marvel hero shooter, and it's surprising that its taken this long to get one.
There will likely be a console version of the game, but the only platform confirmed in the report is PC, with the game supposedly being launched within the next year according to TheStreamr's source. That gives you plenty of time to save up for the best graphics cards or best gaming monitor, if you're a Marvel fanatic like me.