Marvel Rivals: The Bot Controversy in NetEase's Popular Hero Shooter
Despite topping Steam and Twitch charts, Marvel Rivals, NetEase's hero shooter, is facing scrutiny over the suspected use of bots in its Quickplay matches. The game, lauded for its style and iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Wolverine, boasts a large player base. However, a growing number of players are reporting encounters with what they believe are AI opponents in standard Quickplay, not just the designated practice modes.
Player concerns have flooded social media for weeks. Many suspect they're matched against bots after a string of losses, a potential tactic to prevent player frustration and maintain quick queue times. The lack of transparency from NetEase fuels this suspicion. The company hasn't publicly addressed these claims (IGN has requested comment).
Players have identified several potential indicators of bot matches: unusually repetitive in-game behavior, similar player names (often single words or capitalized phrases), and, most notably, enemy profiles labeled "restricted." This lack of clarity frustrates players who struggle to distinguish skill improvement from artificially inflated wins.
"The game doesn't tell you that you're against bots," one Reddit user commented, highlighting the frustration of using Quickplay to practice new heroes without knowing if the victories are genuine.
While bot usage in multiplayer games isn't new, the Marvel Rivals situation has sparked debate. Some players advocate for a toggle to enable or disable bot matches, while others demand their complete removal. Others, however, view bot matches as opportunities to achieve specific hero accomplishments.
One Reddit user, ciaranxy, initiated a community discussion, emphasizing the lack of player choice regarding bot encounters in Quickplay. The author confirms experiencing suspicious matches with characteristics consistent with player reports: stiff movement, similar names, and restricted enemy profiles. NetEase has been contacted for clarification.
Despite this controversy, NetEase's plans for Marvel Rivals in 2025 remain ambitious, including the Fantastic Four's arrival in Season 1 and a commitment to releasing at least one new hero per half-season. A new Peter Parker skin is also anticipated later this month. The bot issue, however, remains a significant concern for the game's community. For more on player strategies, see how some players are using Invisible Woman to counter suspected bots.
