Marvel Rivals developers address dataminer speculation about future characters. Dataminers have uncovered a long list of potential characters within the game's code, sparking debate about authenticity. Some believe the developers are intentionally including fake names to mislead them.
However, Marvel Rivals producer Weicong Wu and Marvel Games executive producer Danny Koo deny this, stating that the extensive list reflects the team's extensive planning and experimentation process. Wu explained that character design involves multiple stages – concepts, prototypes, and development – leaving traces in the code that don't necessarily represent final decisions. The inclusion of a character ultimately depends on player expectations and maintaining balanced gameplay.
Koo likened the situation to finding a discarded notebook filled with brainstorming notes, emphasizing that many ideas are explored without guaranteeing inclusion in the game. He explicitly stated that the team prioritizes game development over elaborate trolling.
The development process for new characters involves a year-long planning horizon, aiming for a new character release every six weeks. NetEase assesses the game's balance and roster variety, proposing several candidates to Marvel Games. Community interest and upcoming Marvel projects (films, comics) also influence the final selection. This explains the numerous character names in the code – a reflection of NetEase's ongoing ideation.
Marvel Rivals continues to receive positive feedback, with the upcoming addition of the Human Torch and The Thing on February 21st further enhancing the game. The possibility of a Nintendo Switch 2 release is also under consideration (details available in a separate article).
