It’s not hard to see where Marvel Rivals has taken inspiration from Overwatch. From the simple concept of a 6v6 ability-focused multiplayer game to certain characters like Hawkeye and Black Panther being very similar to Hanzo and Genji, it’s clear that NetEase was at the very least inspired by Blizzard’s Overwatch concepts. But NetEase has nearly a decade of hindsight. It can look back at what Overwatch did well, yes, but also what it could’ve improved on and what the game was lacking when it first launched.
One such feature was a quit penalty. Though Overwatch has always had leaver penalties for ranked play, Marvel Rivals takes this a step further and penalizes players for disconnecting too frequently during their unranked Quick Play matches. Though some may find this excessive given the pick-up and play nature of the more casual game mode, its inclusion in the game is one of the main reasons Marvel Rivals is currently in a healthier spot than the competition from which it borrowed so many ideas.
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Why Marvel Rivals Needs Its Quit Penalty
Discouraging Leaving Improves the Marvel Rivals Experience for Everyone
Obviously, a leaver penalty is going to be critical to have in competitive game modes. If someone rage quits, it becomes egregiously unfair to the other five players on that team, as they’re basically stuck fighting an impossible battle only to eat the ranked loss. The leaver penalty is in place to discourage this type of behavior in the more serious side of the game, where players are actively trying their best to win and improve their skills. Losing ranked games due to rage quitting leavers (or people who otherwise get interrupted while playing) would be the most titling thing Marvel Rivals players could experience.
Leaver penalties in the ranked modes are only logical, but what some players might scratch their heads about is why the penalty is also applied to Marvel Rivals' casual matches. The pickup and play nature of Quick Play is seemingly meant to encourage people to come and go as they please.
But in a game as focused on teamwork as Marvel Rivals, that was never going to cut it. Players leaving on a whim negatively impacts the flow of the game, be it in ranked or casual play. Teammates can’t access game-winning ultimates, team comps are constantly changing at unsustainable speeds, and that’s in the event the game mode allows for backfill. In games like Marvel Rivals or Overwatch, leavers make for a miserable match for the other players on their team, even in casual modes, and NetEase has done right in trying to discourage and minimize that behavior where at all possible.
Marvel Rivals' Leaver Penalty Isn’t Even That Aggressive
When it’s all said and done, Rivals’ leaver penalty isn’t game-breaking in the least. The biggest argument against leaver penalties is that they unfairly penalize those with unreliable internet connections. And while it’s true that lagging out of Marvel Rivals matches or dropping connections can incur a penalty, Rivals gives players a short grace window to rejoin a match before the demerit falls on their account. This gives players who legitimately suffered an internet hiccup a chance to rejoin their original game and avoid being labeled as a quitter.
Even if someone is having a heated gaming moment and willingly disconnects from a casual game, the game allows one or two incidents like these before instilling a very forgiving five-minute matchmaking ban as a simple reminder for them to take some time and cool off before returning to the fun. Ranked bans are a little more severe, but Marvel Rivals players actively and intentionally sandbagging their teammates in the more serious game modes are easily more deserving of a few extra minutes in the time-out corner.
Marvel Rivals
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- December 6, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!
Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!
A Deep and Varied Marvel Roster
Choose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.
Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game Dynamics
With intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there's never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.
Dynamic Hero Synergy
Coordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot's back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man's armor for massive damage, and so much more!
Creative Environment Destruction
Tear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!
Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch Updates
The Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Limited - console crossplay, no PC crossplay
- Cross Save
- No
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Number of Players
- 1-6
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
- How Long To Beat
- 7.5 hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 20 GB
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
