Doc Ock Playable in Marvel Rivals Fan Concept

NetEase Games has committed to introducing a new Marvel Rivals hero every half-season, but that hasn't stopped a passionate fan from creating their own playable Doctor Octopus concept.

Earlier this week, Reddit user WickedCube amazed the r/MarvelRivals community with a 30-second prototype showcasing potential gameplay for the popular hero shooter. The footage features a pre-Hulk Bruce Banner floating mid-air in what resembles a test environment—but Marvel enthusiasts will immediately spot this eight-armed gamma-infused scientist as a creative interpretation of Spider-Man's iconic foe, Doctor Octopus.

We need more vanguards, so i made one (Doctor Octopus)
byu/Wickedcube inmarvelrivals

While the animation appears slightly rigid, the concept shines through. This fan-made prototype demonstrates how Otto Octavius could navigate Marvel Rivals' battlefields—using his mechanical arms to magnetize and swing around structures, effectively enabling flight near solid surfaces (crucial in a game with destructible terrain). The design includes named abilities like Havoc Claw for melee strikes and Wrecking Grip for ranged attacks. With over 16,000 upvotes, this solo-developed concept proves both impressive and functional.

"Doc Ock remains one of Spider-Man's most compelling villains, and translating his tentacle mechanics would be groundbreaking," WickedCube explained regarding his inspiration. "To my knowledge, no game has fully realized his 3D movement capabilities."

The Indian indie developer, formerly with Space Engineers' Keen Software House, has been prototyping game mechanics since leaving his position in early 2024. Building a functional Doctor Octopus in Unity presented technical challenges, but a PSN outage unexpectedly fueled the project's creation.

"When PSN was down and I couldn't access Marvel Rivals, I stumbled upon remarkable Doc Ock fan art on Twitter," WickedCube recalled. "That's when I decided—if I can't play, I'll create instead."

Doctor Octopus in the style of Marvel Rivals
.#MarvelRivals #MarvelRivalsfanart pic.twitter.com/d3XHXMZsCL

— CoryHarris.jpg (@LordDepis) January 26, 2025

The community response has been overwhelming, with many urging NetEase to consider WickedCube's concepts for official implementation. While the developer has no immediate plans to refine the design further, he intends to release a playable version soon and document the process through YouTube tutorials and GitHub open-source code.

NetEase continues its strong post-launch strategy, introducing Human Torch and The Thing this Friday—completing the Fantastic Four roster after last month's Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman releases. Amidst this content surge, WickedCube's project emerged from community demands for more Vanguard-style tank characters. Though no rumors suggest Doctor Octopus' imminent arrival, the creator is already brainstorming other hero concepts, including X-Men favorites Nightcrawler and Professor X.

"The current roster provides lasting enjoyment, and NetEase's update roadmap is impressive," he noted. "Their design philosophy clearly prioritizes fun—the most challenging aspect to perfect."

Marvel Rivals' Season 1 mid-season update arrives February 21, bringing balance adjustments and gameplay refinements alongside the new hero releases. For more updates, learn about recent NetEase Seattle restructuring and the studio's stance on leaked hero rumors.