Marvel Rivals Bot Conspiracy Unveiled

While Marvel Rivals continues to dominate Steam and Twitch charts, a growing concern among fans is the presence of bots in NetEase Games' new hero shooter. Launched in December, the game has received widespread acclaim for its engaging style and the creative integration of iconic characters like Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the recently added Fantastic Four. With hundreds of thousands of daily players on Steam alone (via SteamDB), Marvel Rivals has managed to sidestep many common issues plaguing other games in its genre. However, the implementation of AI enemies in various game modes has sparked significant discussion within the community.

"I know people may feel differently but playing against bots in (Quickplay) just doesn’t feel good at all to me," one Reddit user commented. "AI should be in AI modes and that’s it."

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Like many multiplayer titles released in the past 15 years, Marvel Rivals includes practice modes where players can face off against AI-controlled "bots." These modes allow users to adjust the difficulty, making them essential for skill development and providing a break from competitive play. However, the issue arises when players report encountering what they believe to be bots in standard Quickplay matches.

For weeks, social media has been abuzz with posts from users suspecting they are matched against low-level bot players, with some even noticing their teammates being replaced by bots. The prevailing theory suggests that after consecutive losses, the game might place players in easier bot-filled matches to prevent discouragement and reduce queue times. Unfortunately, NetEase has not provided clear information on the use of bots in Quickplay, leaving many questions unanswered (IGN has sought clarification). Players have been trying to identify bots by noting unusual in-game behaviors, repetitive actions, and similar naming patterns among teammates, such as using single words or all capital letters. The most definitive indicator is when all enemy profiles are marked as "restricted."

"The fact that you can even get bot games after wins and that the game doesn't tell you that you're against bots is what gets me about this," another Reddit user said. "You don't want to learn new heroes in comp because people will understandably rage at you for doing that, but if you try to learn a hero in (Quickplay) you now have to second guess if you actually are getting any better on that hero or if the game is just making you think you are because it's handing you free wins in the form of bots."

The debate over bots in multiplayer games is not new, with similar discussions occurring in communities like Fortnite. Regarding Marvel Rivals, some players advocate for the ability to toggle bot matches on or off, while others demand their complete removal. A segment of the player base sees bot lobbies as an opportunity to achieve specific hero milestones. Reddit user ciaranxy, who started questioning matches shortly after the game's launch, encouraged the community to stay vigilant.

"So, you can choose to believe this is an issue or not – that is your CHOICE," ciaranxy says in the post. "But – for everyone else – when you press Quickplay, NetEase does not give you a choice."

If you've spent considerable time with Marvel Rivals, chances are you've encountered one of these contentious lobbies. I, too, have experienced a suspicious Quickplay match exhibiting the signs players have flagged, including unnatural player movement, uniform naming conventions, and restricted profiles across both teams. We've contacted NetEase for more insight into these matches and the alleged use of bots in Marvel Rivals.

Amidst the ongoing bot investigation, some Marvel Rivals players have found innovative ways to counter these AI opponents, such as using Invisible Woman to halt bots in their tracks. Looking ahead, NetEase has ambitious plans for 2025, starting with the introduction of the Fantastic Four in Season 1: Eternal Night Falls. Creative director Guangyun Chen has committed to releasing a new hero every half-season, and later this month, fans can look forward to acquiring Peter Parker’s Advanced Suit 2.0 from Marvel’s Spider-Man.