The Marvel Rivals Bot Conspiracy, Explained

Marvel Rivals' Popularity Shadowed by Bot Concerns

Despite topping Steam and Twitch charts, Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games' hero shooter, faces growing player suspicion regarding the prevalence of bots in its matches. The game, launched in December to widespread acclaim for its style and roster of iconic Marvel characters, boasts a large player base. However, weeks of discussion on social media platforms like Reddit highlight concerns about AI opponents appearing in standard Quickplay matches, not just the designated practice modes.

Players report encountering matches where opponents and even teammates exhibit suspiciously low skill levels, repetitive behaviors, and similarly structured names (e.g., all-caps names, or names combining a full name with a partial name). A key indicator cited is the "restricted" label on enemy player profiles. The prevailing theory is that the game strategically places players against bots after a string of losses, potentially to mitigate frustration and maintain quick matchmaking times.

NetEase has yet to publicly address these concerns, fueling speculation. While practice modes clearly indicate AI opponents, the lack of transparency regarding bots in Quickplay matches is a major point of contention. Players are divided on the issue; some request a toggle to enable or disable bot matches, others want bots removed entirely, and a few utilize bot-filled matches to achieve specific in-game objectives.

One Reddit user, ciaranxy, initiated a community discussion highlighting the lack of player choice regarding bot matches in Quickplay. The author confirms encountering a suspicious match exhibiting characteristics reported by other players, including stiff movement, similar names, and restricted profiles for multiple players. NetEase has been contacted for comment.

Despite this controversy, NetEase's plans for Marvel Rivals in 2025 remain ambitious, including the introduction of the Fantastic Four in Season 1 and a commitment to releasing at least one new hero per half-season. A new Spider-Man skin is also anticipated later this month. The ongoing debate about bots, however, casts a shadow on the game's otherwise positive reception. Further information is awaited from NetEase regarding these allegations.