The first full year of Marvel Rivals has been nothing short of remarkable. Developers behind this free-to-play hero shooter believe that this is just the beginning.
Reflecting on its inaugural year, Marvel Rivals has packed in a ton of content. From MCU-inspired skins linked to Fantastic Four: First Steps to limited-time events offering free rewards and a wealth of new heroes, the game has set a high benchmark. But Marvel and NetEase Games are just getting warmed up.
“2025 was more of a warm-up period for us,” shared Marvel Games executive producer Danny Koo in an interview with Den of Geek. “Next year, we’re going to have bigger plans. We’re not going to slow down. We’ve already planned more than a year ahead and I can’t wait for our players to see it.”
How Many Characters Are in Marvel Rivals Now?
In its first year, Marvel Rivals matched the number of playable characters found in Overwatch 2, adding 12 new characters in 2025 alone. Upcoming additions like Deadpool in January and Elsa Bloodstone in February will quickly outpace that number, with a new hero promised every month moving forward.
What Can Players Expect in 2026?
This rapid character influx could pose balancing challenges, but it keeps players engaged. Yachen Bian, the publishing and marketing lead at NetEase Games, hinted at further playable experiences that aim to complement the expanding roster.
“In the next year, we want to provide more game modes,” Bian said. “It’s why we have prototypes in the game, like PvE and 18v18. We want to give the players more choices beyond the basic gameplay. Fighting against zombies feels different from battling other players.”
What Game Modes Are Currently Available?
The first year of Marvel Rivals introduced various engaging modes, including the Marvel Zombies PvE mode, a social hub set in Times Square, and even a PvP auto-battler mode. If there’s more exciting content on the way, players can look forward to logging in and enjoying this vibrant game for the long haul.
What Are the Future Collaborations and Events?
With 2026 around the corner, exciting prospects linger. The introduction of fan-favorite characters like Deadpool, plans for a new esports model, and further collaborations with the MCU such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day in August and Avengers: Doomsday in December indicate that the game is truly just getting started.
What are you looking forward to most in Marvel Rivals? Share your thoughts in the comments below!