Among the many hero shooters, Marvel Rivals has managed to become one of the most popular. NetEase Games has certainly created something that many can instantly familiarize themselves with and enjoy, especially given that its entirety is based around the widely known Marvel franchise.
However, like all other games, it will still undergo problems involving player retention, regardless of how fun and exciting it is. While the game isn't in danger of losing its fan base, some areas could use improvement to ensure that people continue to play it for years to come.
NetEase Games is certainly doing what it can regarding that matter, coming up with highly anticipated updates that add more characters to the Marvel Rivals character roster. But it will take more than just new heroes to keep people's interest in playing the game, meaning there are a few things the developer will need to do.
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+ 3For one, it can start by thinking of changes to the competitive mode and scene. The game certainly has a large number of people who tend to play ranked matches, and keeping them satisfied is a great way of preventing player drop-off. As for how that can be done, NetEase Games may want to consider implementing a phase that involves banning stages.
Something like that adds an extra layer of depth to competitive games, as it means that not only would players have to think about what heroes to pick and remove, but also what the best levels are that suit their team's playstyle and composition.
Adding that kind of banning phase in Marvel Rivals could also replace the game's seasonal map rotation, allowing all of the different stages to be available while giving people the ability to choose where they want to play. Although it might be challenging to introduce, it would be worth the effort, as it would help make the competitive mode interesting enough to keep players around.
click to enlarge + 3Those who play casually should also be given more reasons to stay, as they are the lifeblood that help Marvel Rivals retain its popularity and relevancy. If NetEase Games wishes to do something to prevent these people from leaving, perhaps it can introduce the competitive mode's experience to them, but without the risks.
Those who choose the casual side of Marvel Rivals will likely have some spark of interest in taking part in its more serious matches, but what usually stops them is the fear of ranking down. That means they miss out on the experience of banning heroes, leading to them not grasping the current meta and falling behind the competitive players who do. This can result in them losing interest in continuing to play and endangering the game's longevity.
To fix that, a quick match mode with a competitive ban phase can be introduced. This can be entirely separate from regular quick matches, where everyone can choose any character they want, providing casual players the option to experience either the lighter or more serious side of the game. That way, they can improve their skills and stay on track with the current meta while still having fun, which can incentivize them to stick around.
click to enlarge + 3Updating the roster of Marvel Rivals heroes may be a short-term solution to solving a player retention problem, but improving the matchmaking experience isn't.
How well matches are updated and handled will determine whether a hero shooter remains popular or fades into obscurity. If NetEase Games can do it well for Marvel Rivals, then the game will continue to have numerous fans even in the distant future.
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