Marvel Rivals Gets Green Light for Original Heroes—But Does It Even Need Them?

The Real Power of Marvel Rivals Isn’t Just the Marvel Name

I’ll be honest: when Marvel Rivals was announced, I rolled my eyes a bit. Another hero shooter, this time draped in Marvel’s superheroic spandex? But the part that actually caught my attention was just how deep NetEase could go for the roster. Forget generic stand-ins-this game has rights to the whole Marvel toy box, and that’s a huge deal. Yet somehow, NetEase secured permission from Marvel HQ to add original characters of their own. The big question: why would they bother, given the roster they have?

• Marvel has officially let NetEase create brand-new, original characters for Rivals.
• But let’s be real-there’s already an avalanche of unused Marvel heroes and villains out there.
• The initial focus is on iconics like Jean Grey and Blade, but the door is open for new faces.
• Fans might be eager for deep-cuts or wildcards…but do we really want original “filler” among all the legends?

Breaking Down the Announcement: Marvel’s Open Door (with Strings Attached)

Creative director Guangyun Chen’s recent chat with MP1st confirmed what the rumors suggested: Marvel gave NetEase the thumbs-up to invent their own characters. Chen didn’t spill much-classic “stay tuned” PR speak—but it’s clear the possibility is on the table. In theory, this is a license for some real innovation (as long as NetEase doesn’t try something as wacky as giving Wolverine a long-lost twin brother… or at least, not without running it by Marvel first!).

Even so, it’s not hard to imagine Marvel keeping a close eye on how these OCs (original characters) fit into their established mythology. Don’t expect Marvel Rivals to suddenly populate its maps with a bunch of bargain-bin superheroes that could never hack it in 60 years of comics. Still, Marvel has played fast and loose before—remember characters like Galacta or Luna Snow, who went from minor cameos to headline material in other Marvel games?

Does Marvel Rivals Actually Need New Original Characters?

This is where my gamer brain hits a wall. Marvel has literally hundreds—no, thousands—of characters that have never seen the light of day outside the printed page, many of which have huge fan appeal. As long as you have access to (say) Squirrel Girl, Beta Ray Bill, or even D-listers like Big Wheel, why invent something new from scratch?

The answer might be less about necessity and more about flexibility. Maybe NetEase wants to craft the perfect “balanced” hero tailored for the meta, without being shackled by existing lore or power sets. Or, maybe Marvel just wants to see if lightning can strike twice—Luna Snow is a real example of a game-first hero who picked up a fanbase out of nowhere. It worked for mobile titles like Marvel Future Fight, so why not take a shot here?

But as someone who’s both played hero shooters and spent too much time nerding out on Marvel’s Wikipedia pages, I can’t help but be skeptical. Blizzard still struggles to keep every Overwatch addition balanced and interesting, and that’s with a fraction of Marvel’s legacy. Injecting brand-new, untested characters could either be genius… or just make it harder to please the diehard Marvel crowd, who always want to see their favorite obscure X-Man get their day in the sun.

Why Original Characters Might Matter Down the Line

This is where I have to give NetEase some benefit of the doubt. Building original heroes offers more control over meta, balance, and narrative. If Marvel Rivals hits its stride with a giant, evolving roster, sliding in originals could keep things fresh. Plus, if they pull off a hit—for example, a new character with a unique playstyle or memorable personality—that could be what sets Rivals apart from yet another “Overwatch, but with Spider-Man” clone.

Still, there’s a fine line between innovative and forgettable. If Marvel Rivals starts resembling a fanfic crossover that puts Mr. Marvel Guy next to Iron Man, fans are going to notice…and judge, harshly. NetEase needs to ensure that every original can stand beside Marvel’s established icons, not cower in their shadow.

TL;DR

Marvel Rivals can make original heroes, but with an ocean of Marvel legends left to tap, it feels like a solution in search of a problem. Unless NetEase stumbles onto the next Luna Snow, most fans just want to play as their favorite comic icons—and thankfully, the game seems to recognize that. It’s all about balance: surprise us with originals, but don’t forget the legends we signed up for in the first place.