Marvel's Bot Conspiracy Unraveled

Marvel Rivals: Are Bots Secretly Influencing Gameplay?

Despite topping Steam and Twitch charts, Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games' hero shooter, faces growing player suspicion regarding the use of bots in Quickplay matches. The game, lauded for its style and iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Wolverine, boasts a substantial player base. However, weeks of discussion on social media highlight concerns about AI opponents appearing in standard Quickplay modes, not just the designated practice modes.

Players report encountering matches where opponents, and sometimes teammates, exhibit characteristics suggestive of AI control. These include repetitive, unnatural 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 a string of losses, potentially to prevent player frustration and maintain short queue times.

NetEase has yet to publicly address these concerns, fueling speculation. While the use of bots in multiplayer games isn't unprecedented (Fortnite has faced similar debates), the lack of transparency in Marvel Rivals is a key point of contention. Some players advocate for a toggle to enable or disable bot matches, while others demand their complete removal. Others, however, see bot matches as opportunities to practice or complete specific hero achievements.

The ambiguity surrounding bot implementation has prompted community investigations, with players sharing observations and attempting to identify patterns. One Reddit user, ciaranxy, initiated a community discussion, highlighting the lack of player choice regarding bot encounters in Quickplay.

The author confirms personally encountering a suspicious Quickplay match exhibiting several of the reported red flags. NetEase has been contacted for comment.

Despite this controversy, NetEase’s plans for Marvel Rivals remain ambitious. Season 1: Eternal Night Falls, featuring the Fantastic Four, is imminent, along with a promise of a new hero every half-season and upcoming skins, including Peter Parker's Advanced Suit 2.0. The ongoing debate around bot implementation, however, casts a shadow on the game's otherwise positive reception. Further investigation is needed to determine the extent of bot usage and NetEase's response.