In recent years, cosmetics have gradually become an ingrained part of the gaming world, especially in the live multiplayer genre. Cosmetics are often the best compromise between allowing developers to maintain a consistent revenue stream without interfering with the actual mechanics or balancing of a game, thus being completely optional purchases. Marvel Rivals has more than its fair share of optional cosmetics paid for at launch.
NetEase developer fully supports Marvel Rivalspremise, especially when it comes to the multitude of alternate costumes in the multiplayer game. On launch day, players can discover a multitude of cosmetics inspired by all corners of the Marvel multimedia universe, from beloved comics to MCU movie appearances. It's a really great start, but it's going to be difficult for him Marvel Rivals to make all fans happy when it comes to cosmetics, something that Overwatch 2 has been learning for the past two years.
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Marvel Rivals cosmetics need to stay on track
The Marvel Rivals roster is treated equally when it comes to cosmetics
At launch, each of the Marvel Rivals33 playable heroes have at least two alternate skins (besides Moon Knight) that players can unlock either from the Season 0 Battle Pass, the in-game store, or by completing specific achievements. While each character has an alternate outfit that's a fairly simple color palette swap, day one cosmetics are much more distinct, often being inspired by a specific Marvel comic appearance or MCU design.
Of course, some characters still have an extra outfit or two, like Spider-Man, Hela, and Hawkeye, but for the most part, everyone on the roster is treated equally on release day. This approach is great to see because when it comes to Marvel characters, every fan has their favorite. Ensuring that everyone on the roster has at least a handful of skins each means that every fan-favorite character is taken care of, and every player is thus motivated to keep eating to unlock their alternate outfits.
Marvel Rivals can't fall into Overwatch 2's cosmetic trap
But Marvel Rivalsthe list might not stay the same for long if it falls into the same trap as Overwatch 2 was frequently found in. Since Overwatch 2Launching in October 2022, it has become apparent that Blizzard seems to prefer creating cosmetics for a certain handful of heroes. This is especially evident when we look Overwatch 2his last crosses.
Reinhardt was one of the most obvious examples of Blizzard favoritism. Reinhardt was front and center Transformers, World of Warcraftand My hero academy collaborations. Kiriko is often cited as another main offender, receiving several new skins recently. In the recently leaked ones Overwatch 2 x Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover, Kiriko is set to receive another skin, which is already drawing criticism for possibly appearing in place of a Katara-inspired outfit.
While heroes like Kiriko, Reinhardt, Mercy, Widowmaker, Ashe, and Genji all receive new high rarity skins at a frequent rate, much of the roster is left in the dust. Of course, if a player's favorite character is one of the unlucky ones left behind, it won't incentivize them to keep playing, since they've probably already unlocked all the available outfits. Marvel Rivals they need to make sure they don't favor the same handful of heroes every season.