Marvel Rivals Reveals How Often Fans Can Expect New Heroes

Marvel Rivals: An Ambitious Hero Release Schedule

Marvel Rivals, NetEase's hit third-person hero shooter, launched in December 2024 with a roster of 33 playable heroes, quickly attracting 20 million players in its first month. The game's success is fueled by a planned aggressive release schedule: a new hero approximately every 45 days, resulting in eight new heroes annually. This significantly surpasses competitors like Overwatch 2, which typically releases three new heroes per year.

Season 1, already underway, showcases this ambitious plan. The Fantastic Four are the first post-launch additions, with Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman already available, and The Thing and Human Torch anticipated in the second half of the season. Two new New York City maps further enhance the gameplay experience.

Game Director Guangyun Chen confirmed this rapid release cadence in an interview with Metro, explaining that each three-month season will feature two new heroes. While NetEase has access to a vast library of Marvel characters—even including less mainstream choices—concerns remain regarding the development time. Thorough testing and balancing are crucial with 37 heroes and approximately 100 abilities to consider. The feasibility of maintaining this pace without a substantial reserve of pre-developed heroes is questioned by many players.

With the midpoint of Season 1 approaching, fans eagerly anticipate the remaining Fantastic Four members. Additional surprises, such as new maps or in-game events, are also possible in the second half of Season 1. Players are encouraged to monitor Marvel Rivals' social media channels for the latest updates.