Marvel Rivals Dev Says They're Not Trolling Dataminers - 'We'd Rather Spend Our Time Developing the Game'

Marvel Rivals developers address datamining speculation: no intentional trolling, just lots of ideas. Dataminers have uncovered a treasure trove of potential future characters within Marvel Rivals' code, sparking debate about their authenticity. Some believe the developers are intentionally misleading them, while others remain optimistic.

Following an interview with producer Weicong Wu and executive producer Danny Koo, the mystery remains partially unsolved. While they deny any deliberate attempt to troll the community, they acknowledge the presence of numerous character concepts within the game's code. Wu explains this as a byproduct of the extensive design process, involving numerous concepts, prototypes, and development stages. Some ideas may make it into the game, while others may not. The final decision hinges on player expectations and maintaining balanced gameplay.

Koo uses the analogy of a discarded notebook filled with brainstorming notes to illustrate the process. He emphasizes the team's focus on game development rather than elaborate pranks. The sheer volume of ideas explored explains the presence of many names in the codebase.

The character selection process, as described by Wu and Koo, involves a year-long planning horizon. New characters are added approximately every six weeks. NetEase prioritizes balancing gameplay by strategically adding new characters with diverse skill sets, rather than constantly tweaking existing ones. This approach aims to maintain freshness and address any imbalances within the roster.

Collaboration with Marvel Games is crucial. NetEase proposes potential additions, considering community interest and Marvel's broader plans (films, comics). This collaborative process, along with the team's forward-thinking approach, accounts for the extensive list of potential characters in the game's code.

The upcoming addition of Human Torch and The Thing on February 21st further demonstrates the game's ongoing evolution. The possibility of a Nintendo Switch 2 release is also under consideration. Ultimately, while the datamined names offer intriguing possibilities, they should be treated with caution. The focus remains on delivering a consistently engaging and balanced gameplay experience.

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