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Marvel Rivals recently earned a Game Awards nomination for Best Ongoing Title, proving its strength in the live-service market. However, developer NetEase views the game’s successful first year as merely a “warm-up”. According to recent statements, the studio has hyped 2026 as a year of “bigger plans”.
NetEase reportedly has another full year of additions already mapped out. Executive Producer Danny Koo recently spoke with Den of Geek, promising that the team is “not going to slow down”.
Marvel Rivals: New Heroes & Season 6 Teases
The developer has confirmed that Deadpool and Elsa Bloodstone will join the roster in Season 6. Currently, their specific in-game roles remain a mystery. While Deadpool keeps gamers on their toes by switching roles, future hero additions are less clear.
However, eagle-eyed fans spotted a tease for another potential addition. The Season 5 intro cinematic, which focused on the wedding of Rogue and Gambit, teased Cyclops. This suggests the X-Men leader could play a role in the game’s future.
Focus on PvE & Player Choice
Following the immense success of the Marvel Zombies PvE mode and the chaotic 18v18 Annihilation mode, NetEase is shifting its strategy. Danny Koo indicated that these modes influenced the content crafted for 2026. The studio aims to cater to every type of player, including those who prefer casual, “silly”, or co-operative experiences.
NetEase promised that much more co-op content will arrive over the coming years. Possibilities include:
- More maps filled with the undead.
- Story-focused missions.
- New enemy types like Hydra and AIM goons.
Furthermore, NetEase noted that if players make their voices heard regarding temporary game modes, there is a good chance those modes will become permanent additions.
Community Requests & Future Updates
While the roadmap for 2026 generates hype, the community has listed specific improvements they want to see. Players feel the map pool for core game modes has become “stale” because Season 5 maps were exclusive to specific events like “Jeff’s Winter Splash”.
Additionally, fans are requesting more engagement within the Times Square hub. Features like present-opening and “Pym Burgers” were hits, but players now want events like Marvel movie watch nights or fashion shows. Finally, the community hopes for greater involvement via voting activities, similar to the “Hellfire Gala”, to influence hero releases and game balancing.
NetEase has set a high bar for itself. As 2026 approaches, the studio must now prove it can outdo its impressive debut year.
