Summary
- With Peter and Peni Parker available as playable characters in Marvel Rivals, the possibility of multiple Spider-Man variants being added increases tenfold and Tokyo 2099 already explicitly teases Miguel O'Hara, whether as his own playable character or simply a skin for Spider-Man.
- Spider-Man 2099 is not confirmed to be in Marvel Rivals, but Tokyo 2099 as an oddly specific map and year would be the perfect way to introduce or reference him.
There’s basically no end to what stories Marvel can cook up thanks to multiversal events, and while that’s more of a dreadful threat than a blissful promise nowadays it’s a premise that works irrevocably for a 6v6 hero shooter like Marvel Rivals. There isn’t a salient reason yet why all of Marvel Rivals’ heroes are content to battle one another, but the genre and its emphasis on live-service goodies puts logic like that on the back burner without too many questions usually being asked anyhow. What may be more interesting, however, is the choice of locations currently confirmed for Marvel Rivals.
As of right now, there are at least two confirmed maps: Asgard and Tokyo 2099. The latter is intriguing due to the unmistakably specific year it’s being visited in, and anyone who knows anything about Spider-Man will likely have their spider senses tingling. Marvel Rivals’ Peni Parker, clad in her SP//dr suit, is certainly one of the more unique multiversal iterations of Spider-Man, for instance, and the game not sticking with Peter Parker exclusively might suggest that other web-slingers are on the table, too, with Miguel O’Hara now a probable candidate.
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Marvel Rivals’ Tokyo 2099 Suggests Spider-Man 2099 is Near
If the precise year isn’t an obvious giveaway, Marvel Rivals’ Tokyo 2099 even has an Alchemax tower. That’s enough to warrant an errant reference to Miguel O’Hara even if Spider-Man 2099 doesn’t become his own playable character or nothing else ever materializes from Tokyo 2099 as an otherwise blatant Easter egg.
Spider-Man 2099 has always been a popular Spider-Man variant and has been nearly inseparable from the character’s imagery in alternate suits/skins. Likewise, Spider-Man 2099 recently had the most notoriety in games such as:
- Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (playable character).
- Spider-Man: Edge of Time (playable character).
- Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise (suits/skins).
How Spider-Man 2099 Could Fit into Marvel Rivals
Peppering Marvel Rivals with a ton of Spider-Man variants could run the risk of NetEase’s hero shooter becoming more akin to a Spider-Verse game than a multiverse game, but with both Peter and Peni Parker it would make sense to be able to see other variants now, too.
If so, Miguel would hopefully have his own abilities and playstyle and not be a gimmick. Perhaps Spider-Man 2099 could be a support class character while Spider-Man is a DPS and Peni is a tank in order to round that out, for example, but then if any of the following variants are ever added afterward they’d need to find their own way to stand out while fulfilling a class role that another Spider-Person has already claimed:
- Spider-Man Noir.
- Spider-Ham.
- Scarlet Spider (Ben Reilly).
- Miles Morales.
- Gwen Stacy.
- Silk.
Spider-Man 2099 May Only End Up Being an Easter Egg Reference or Cosmetic Skin
It may be easier to pack Marvel Rivals with Spider-Man villains instead, especially since Magneto and Loki are Marvel Rivals’ only ‘villain’ characters at launch. Scarlet Witch could also technically be a ‘villain,’ though that’s a strained and blurred distinction that Marvel Rivals doesn’t need to make because everyone is fighting each other regardless.
Still, Tokyo 2099 would be the easiest way for Marvel Rivals to segue into a Spider-Man 2099 character debut and if it doesn’t take that opportunity to do so that could infer there aren’t plans for him to be recruited thereafter. Another consideration is that a Spider-Man 2099 skin might drop for Spider-Man rather than having him be his own character, which would admittedly be disappointing but logical due to Marvel Rivals being a live-service game where cosmetics will probably become a main source of sustenance for each character.
Maybe the Yuri Lowenthal-voiced Spider-Man is the 2099 version after all despite having a more classic appearance since his suit does look more high-tech than his ordinary duds. Only time will tell how Marvel Rivals will take shape as an Overwatch clone in its upcoming playtest as well as if Spider-Man 2099 is waiting in the wings to be unveiled as part of such a peculiarly particular set dressing.
Marvel Rivals
- Released
- December 6, 2024
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!
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
