The Marvel Rivals Bot Conspiracy, Explained

Marvel Rivals' Success Shadowed by Bot Controversy

Despite topping Steam and Twitch charts, Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games' hero shooter, faces a growing controversy surrounding the alleged use of bots in Quickplay matches. The game, lauded for its style and iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Wolverine, boasts a large player base. However, weeks after launch, players are voicing concerns about encountering AI opponents in standard Quickplay modes, not just the designated practice modes.

Reddit users have expressed frustration, stating that facing bots in Quickplay diminishes the experience and makes skill assessment difficult. The suspicion stems from observations of unusual in-game behavior, similar player names (often single words or capitalized phrases), and enemy profiles labeled "restricted." The prevailing theory is that the game strategically places players against bots after consecutive losses, potentially to prevent player attrition and reduce queue times.

NetEase has yet to publicly address these concerns, fueling speculation. While the use of bots in multiplayer games isn't unprecedented, the lack of transparency in Marvel Rivals is raising ire. Some players advocate for a toggle to enable or disable bot matches, while others demand their complete removal. Conversely, some players see bot matches as opportunities to complete hero achievements.

The debate intensified with a Reddit post encouraging community scrutiny of suspicious matches. The post highlighted telltale signs, such as unnatural player movement and consistently "restricted" profiles. This aligns with reports from other players, including the author, who encountered a match exhibiting these characteristics. NetEase has been contacted for comment.

Despite the controversy, NetEase remains optimistic about Marvel Rivals' future, planning new content including the Fantastic Four in Season 1 and a new hero every half-season. A new Spider-Man skin is also expected later this month. The bot issue, however, remains a significant challenge for the game's long-term success and player satisfaction. Further investigation is needed to determine the extent of bot implementation and NetEase's response will be crucial in addressing player concerns.