Live-service landmines and Marvel capes
Putting out a live-service shooter in 2024 is kind of like adopting a raccoon that already knows how to use power tools. You may love it, but it could also claw your couch to shreds. NetEase went ahead and released Marvel Rivals, a hero shooter packed with marquee Marvel characters, despite the obvious risks.
A scary neighbour called Concord
Just months earlier, PlayStation had launched a similar live-service shooter, Concord, and then pulled the plug. That quick burial in the live-service graveyard did not go unnoticed. NetEase's publishing and marketing lead, Yachen Bian, admitted at GDC that the team felt genuine "panic" stepping into this space.
Not giving up, just being careful
Panic does not equal defeat. Instead of assuming doom, the team treated the fear as a wake-up call. Their goal was simple: avoid repeating the mistakes of the dead live-service shooters stacked up around them. In plain English, that means they knew having famous characters is not a guaranteed hit, and that execution matters more than a shiny IP.
So yes, Marvel Rivals launched into a crowded, hazardous field. NetEase felt the pressure, admitted the panic, and then tried to be smart about it. Whether that’s enough to keep the game out of the graveyard is something time will tell, but points for honesty and for courage to press the launch button.
Pro tip: even when you put Spider-Man and a dozen other heroes in one game, you still need good support, design, and patience. Capes alone do not fix everything.
