The Marvel Rivals Bot Conspiracy, Explained

Marvel Rivals, the new hero shooter from NetEase Games, has been a hit on Steam and Twitch, boasting impressive player numbers and critical acclaim. Its stylish gameplay and roster of iconic Marvel characters, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the Fantastic Four, have captivated hundreds of thousands of daily players on Steam alone. However, a controversy is brewing: the suspected use of bots in Quickplay matches.

Many players report encountering matches where opponents exhibit unusually simplistic behavior, leading them to suspect they are playing against AI. Some even claim their teammates are occasionally replaced by bots. The suspected trigger for these bot-filled matches appears to be a string of losses, potentially a tactic to prevent player frustration and maintain quick matchmaking times.

NetEase has yet to publicly address these concerns, fueling speculation and community investigations. Players have identified several potential red flags, including repetitive and predictable enemy behavior, suspiciously similar player names (often single words or capitalized phrases), and enemy profiles labeled "restricted." This lack of transparency has frustrated players who feel they are unable to accurately gauge their skill improvement when facing potentially artificial opponents.

The debate rages on. Some players advocate for a toggle to enable or disable bot matches, while others demand their complete removal. Conversely, some players see these matches as opportunities to practice or complete specific hero achievements. The central issue highlighted by players is the lack of information from NetEase regarding the presence and purpose of bots in Quickplay, leaving players to self-diagnose and speculate.

One player, ciaranxy, initiated a community discussion on Reddit, highlighting the lack of player choice in whether or not they face bots in Quickplay. This sentiment echoes the concerns of many players who have encountered questionable matches featuring stiff movement, similar names, and restricted enemy profiles.

While NetEase remains silent on the issue, their plans for Marvel Rivals in 2025 remain ambitious, including the addition of the Fantastic Four in Season 1, the promise of a new hero every half-season, and the release of a new Peter Parker skin. The ongoing bot controversy, however, casts a shadow on the game's otherwise positive reception. We have reached out to NetEase for comment. Meanwhile, some players are finding creative ways to counter the suspected bots, as detailed in a separate article on how the Invisible Woman is being used to disrupt their gameplay.