Marvel Game Devs Prioritize Development Over Denying Leaks

Marvel Rivals developers address datamining rumors: No intentional trolling, just lots of ideas.

Dataminers have been uncovering a treasure trove of potential future characters hidden within Marvel Rivals' code. While some initial finds, like the Fantastic Four, proved accurate, the sheer volume of names has sparked debate: are some intentionally misleading?

We directly questioned Marvel Rivals producer Weicong Wu and Marvel Games executive producer Danny Koo about this alleged "elaborate troll." While denying any deliberate deception, they acknowledged the presence of leftover data in the code. Wu explained that character design is a complex process involving numerous concepts and prototypes, leaving traces in the code that may or may not represent future plans. The final decision hinges on player expectations and desired gameplay experiences.

Koo likened the situation to finding a discarded notebook filled with brainstorming notes, emphasizing the team's extensive experimentation with various play styles and heroes. He stated unequivocally, "No. We would rather spend our time developing the actual game."

The character selection process, they revealed, involves a year-long planning horizon, aiming for a new character release every six weeks. NetEase prioritizes balancing the roster through character additions, rather than constant adjustments to existing ones. This involves identifying needed skill sets and character types, generating a list of potential additions, and then collaborating with Marvel Games on initial designs. Community interest and upcoming Marvel projects (films, comics) also influence the final choices. The abundance of names in the code, therefore, reflects NetEase's ongoing brainstorming and exploration of possibilities.

Marvel Rivals continues to impress, with the Human Torch and The Thing slated for release on February 21st. The conversation also touched upon the possibility of a Nintendo Switch 2 release (details available in a separate article). Ultimately, while the datamined character list offers intriguing speculation, it's crucial to approach it with caution.