As Marvel Rivals' roster grows, the team has no limits on future heroes: "We had over 9,000 characters to pick from"

GamesThird Person ShooterMarvel RivalsAs Marvel Rivals' roster grows, the team has no limits on future heroes: “We had over 9,000 characters to pick from"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesThird Person ShooterMarvel RivalsAs Marvel Rivals' roster grows, the team has no limits on future heroes: “We had over 9,000 characters to pick from"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: NetEase Games / Marvel Games) Marvel Rivals' developers apparently have no limits on what comic book characters can be added to the upcoming hero shooter - as long as they come from a Marvel story, of course. Marvel Rivals has so far announced25 playable heroesthat’ll be available (and free for everyone) when it comes out on December 6, from billion-dollar faces likeCaptain Americato more obscure cuts from Marvel’s decades-long history like…Jeff the Land Shark? But the sky’s the limit when it comes to new, post-launch characters. In an interview withVG247, executive producer Danny Koo says that “no character is off limits” for the development team. The only mandate is that the studio “have to pick the ones who are fun to look at, different, fun to play” and “bring something good to the overall roster.” “We had over 9,000 characters to pick from, which is a good thing to have, but with a lot of considerations to make about who should be part of the roster and who fit both in terms of who they are, how they fit into this world and the lore around Marvel Rivals,” Koo continued. Developers at NetEase supposedly consider whether a character is distinct enough from the pre-existing roster while also juggling a good mix between deep cuts and heavy hitters. While “it’s like 70-75% of your greatest hits,” the team also tried to “throw in some curveballs,” which is probably how Luna Snow, a character who only has a handful of comic book appearances, nabbed a spot on the line-up. That means anyone from Marvel’s 60-year history is on the table. Howard the Duck? Cosmo? Peter Parker’s landlord’s daughter from Spider-Man 2? At least39 Marvel Rivals characters were previously datamined, but anything’s possible for the game’s future. Gamesradar’s hands-on preview thought that beyond its A-list roster, Marvel Rivals’ attempt to steal Overwatch’s crown falls dramatically short. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more CATEGORIESPC GamingPS5Xbox Series XPlatformsPlayStationXbox CATEGORIES More about third person shooterAfter hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarmingMarvel Rivals joins Manor Lords, Palworld, and Helldivers 2 as one of Steam’s best-selling and most-played new releases of 2024 despite launching at the end of the yearLatest"This is incredibly rare”: How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hitSee more latest► More about third person shooterAfter hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarmingMarvel Rivals joins Manor Lords, Palworld, and Helldivers 2 as one of Steam’s best-selling and most-played new releases of 2024 despite launching at the end of the yearLatest"This is incredibly rare”: How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hitSee more latest► More about third person shooterAfter hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarmingMarvel Rivals joins Manor Lords, Palworld, and Helldivers 2 as one of Steam’s best-selling and most-played new releases of 2024 despite launching at the end of the year More about third person shooter After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarmingMarvel Rivals joins Manor Lords, Palworld, and Helldivers 2 as one of Steam’s best-selling and most-played new releases of 2024 despite launching at the end of the year After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarming After hours of number-crunching, one Marvel Rivals player has laid out the true meta – and Iron Fist’s ranking feels alarming Marvel Rivals joins Manor Lords, Palworld, and Helldivers 2 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“It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”