The Marvel Rivals Bot Conspiracy, Explained

Marvel Rivals' Success Shadowed by Bot Concerns

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 (Spider-Man, Wolverine, Fantastic Four), boasts a large player base. However, weeks after launch, a significant portion of the community expresses concern over encountering AI opponents in standard Quickplay modes, not just in designated practice modes.

Reddit users have voiced frustration, stating that facing bots in Quickplay diminishes the experience and negates the purpose of competitive gameplay. The AI's presence is considered acceptable in dedicated practice modes, but its alleged intrusion into Quickplay is a major point of contention.

The suspected bot matches, according to player observations, seem to occur after a string of losses, potentially acting as a mechanism to prevent player frustration and maintain quick matchmaking times. However, NetEase has yet to offer any official clarification on the matter, fueling speculation.

Players have identified several potential indicators of bot matches: repetitive and unnatural in-game behavior, similar or oddly structured player names (e.g., all caps, single words, half names), and most notably, enemy profiles labeled "restricted." This lack of transparency has led to widespread discussion and attempts to identify and avoid these suspected bot lobbies.

The use of bots in online games is not unprecedented, but the lack of communication from NetEase regarding their implementation in Marvel Rivals has angered many players. Some demand a toggle to enable or disable bot matches, while others call for their complete removal. Conversely, some players utilize these matches for achievement completion.

One Reddit user, ciaranxy, initiated a community discussion highlighting the lack of player choice in encountering these suspected bot matches. The user's experience, and numerous similar reports, suggest a significant portion of the player base has encountered these questionable lobbies.

While NetEase remains silent on the issue, the company is actively planning for the future of Marvel Rivals, including the addition of new heroes and skins. However, the controversy surrounding the use of bots casts a shadow on the game's otherwise positive reception and ongoing success. NetEase has been contacted for comment. Further investigation into this issue is ongoing, with some players even devising strategies to identify and counter the suspected bots.