"Marvel Rivals to Launch New Heroes Monthly from Season 3"

Marvel Rivals enthusiasts, get ready for an exciting update! NetEase, the developers behind the game, have announced a significant shift in their content release strategy starting from Season 3. In an effort to keep the game feeling as fresh and engaging as it was at launch, they've decided to introduce new heroes on a monthly basis rather than their initial plan of two heroes per season. This thrilling news was shared by Marvel Rivals' Creative Director Guangguang and Lead Combat Designer Zhiyong during the Dev Vision Vol. 05 on April 4, along with other upcoming changes.

New Heroes Every Month

In a move to keep the game vibrant, NetEase has decided to shorten the duration of each season from three months to two. This adjustment will allow them to roll out a new hero each month. Guangguang stated, "After extensive internal discussions and thorough evaluation, we’ve decided that starting from Season 3, the seasons will shift to a two-month format, with a new hero debuting each month." This approach is in response to the community's desire for continuous excitement and fresh content, as seen through various social media discussions. The developers are also contemplating the introduction of new game modes to further enrich the player experience, although these are slated for a later release. With this new strategy, Marvel Rivals could see up to 12 new heroes added annually, which presents a significant challenge in terms of balance and development.

Addressing the potential balancing challenges, Guangguang shared in an interview with PC Gamer on March 14 that the team will rely heavily on key metric data such as pick rates, win rates, stats, and abilities across all game modes. This data-driven approach will form the backbone of their efforts to ensure fair play and enjoyable gameplay for all.

Season 2 Details and Future Plans

Season 2, titled Hellfire Gala, introduces a new hero, Emma Frost, an X-Men villain with telepathic abilities and the power to transform objects into diamonds. She will serve as a Vanguard in the game. The season's theme is inspired by Marvel's Hellfire Club, a gathering of the world's elite who influence global events. The trailer for Season 2 showcased new skins for characters like Luna Snow, Magneto, Cloak and Dagger, and Black Panther, all dressed in elegant formal attire to fit the gala's luxurious setting.

Following Emma Frost's introduction, Season 2.5 will feature the arrival of Ultron, a notorious villain in the Marvel universe. The Hellfire Gala trailer hints at a dramatic interruption by Ultron's robots, setting the stage for the Age of Ultron storyline. Details about Ultron's integration into the game are yet to be revealed.

Thor’s Lord of Asgard and Hawkeye’s Ronin Skins Available Now!

Marvel Rivals has also released new skins for Thor and Hawkeye, announced on Twitter (X) on April 4. Thor's Lord of Asgard skin draws inspiration from his comic book revival by Odin, while Hawkeye's Ronin skin reflects his vigilante samurai phase in the comics. The Thor Rune King bundle includes the Rune King costume, spray, nameplate, The Omniscient MVP, and Well of Mimir emote. Meanwhile, the Hawkeye Ronin bundle comes with the Ronin skin, spray, nameplate, Deadly Rain MVP, and Hone to Perfection emote.

These updates and new content reflect NetEase's dedication to supporting Marvel Rivals for the next decade and beyond. The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest updates and more information on Marvel Rivals, be sure to check out our articles regularly!