Marvel Rivals microtransactions & free-to-play explained

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As a long-time fan of both Marvel comics and hero shooter games, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of Marvel Rivals from NetEase. Having played the Closed Beta Test over the past few days, I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far.

As a passionate gamer, I’m excited about the latest addition to the hero shooter genre: Marvel Rivals, developed by NetEase. Since it’s free-to-play, some might wonder how this game intends to generate revenue. Much like other free-to-play titles, the answer is through microtransactions.

As a gamer, I find it unusual that Rivals goes against the norm of requiring a seasonal Battle Pass purchase. However, instead of asking us to shell out money, they plan to offer seasonal content for free. It seems NetEase trusts that making microtransactions more accessible will yield greater profits.

Let me share some insights about the free-to-play structure of Marvel Rivals and the level of intrusion caused by its microtransactions.

What’s included in Marvel Rivals for free?

As a huge fan, I’d like to share that Marvel Rivals is an amazing game with a fantastic feature – it’s completely free to start playing! All you have to do is sign up for an account and select any one of the impressive 23 heroes from the roster to get started.

During the ongoing Closed Beta Test, which started on July 23 and ends on August 4, this is the way things function. Post-launch, players might be required to play several matches in order to access specific heroes, reminiscent of Overwatch 2’s current free-to-play setup where unlocking certain heroes necessitates gameplay.

What microtransactions are available in Marvel Rivals?

During the ongoing Closed Beta testing of the game, there aren’t any microtransactions available for purchase yet. But it’s highly probable that this situation will shift when the game goes live on a larger scale.

Based on our observation of the beta, there are numerous ways to personalize your characters. This includes acquiring new skins and sprays. Some of these customizations can be earned by finishing weekly tasks as part of Galacta’s Quest. However, it’s reasonable to expect that certain bundles will be for sale in the in-game shop with real currency.

In addition, I’ve observed that players can acquire “Units” during Galacta’s Quest. At present, these “Units” are the only currency in the game and can be used to purchase cosmetic items. However, it’s possible that an additional, real-money currency may be introduced when the game is fully released.

Based on my current understanding, no in-game purchase is known to alter the gameplay experience in Marvel Rivals. Consequently, it seems unlikely that this game will succumb to the issue of being pay-to-win, as all observed cosmetics serve only to modify the appearance of characters or other elements within the game.

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2024-07-29 18:13