An interesting clue about upcoming Marvel Rivals content was just released during an earnings call with NetEase investors. There, the company spoke of its recent financial successes – and of note for Marvel Rivals fans, clued people in to what they have in store.
The message itself is fairly straightforward, and is confirmation of something that’s relatively standard for live-service games. Disney has never been afraid of a little cross-promotion, but if you’re wondering if Marvel Rivals will take things a bit further, the statement leaves that door wide open.
“Marvel Rivals has gained wide acclaim, especially after Season 1. NetEase plans to continue investing in development and marketing, with a long-term operational strategy. There will also be crossover events and promotions with other media to expand the user base.”
As MP1st points out, the context for “long-term operational strategy” there is specifically esports-related. Which isn’t much of a surprise, but still nice to see.
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“Other media”, though, is a bit more vague. Crossover content between the various Marvel properties is an obvious reading, though if “expanding the user base” is NetEase’s goal, success there will be a bit limited. The game already does “Marvel” pretty well, given… well, everything that it is.
So, if it’s something broader, how broad are we talking? No doubt you’ve already thought of Fortnite – a game so successful at crossovers that it’s become part of the game’s identity.
Expansions into other IPs – perhaps a Hatsune Miku skin or a whole event themed around promoting the big movie of the day – would easily fulfill the stated goal. Though, it seems like it would get a lot of Marvel Rivals fans very upset.
Marvel Rivals Fans React To And Discuss Possible Crossovers
Overall, Marvel Rivals fans don’t seem open to crossovers outside of Marvel IPs. They, not unlike the Helldivers community, value a more coherent experience with their game – they’re willing to open the gates, as long as it doesn’t impact the Marvel-ness of it all. That’s their line in the sand.
“Marvel has such a vast library with so many potential choices for costumes.” One user writes. “I would prefer those over stuff that isn’t even marvel related.”
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That said, a few do have some ideas that don’t seem too far out of line. Take another fan’s suggestion for Marvel vs Capcom tie-ins. Throwing Street Fighter characters in with Marvel ones may seem like a more major crossover (because it is), but it’s certainly not one without precedent.
For the most part, though, most fans are confident that the crossovers will mainly be promotional tie-ins with other Marvel projects – particularly the films. Those movies are Marvel’s biggest project at the moment, and their weight being felt in other Marvel properties seems like the expected outcome.
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