Marvel Rivals releases eight unique heroes annually

At the Game Developers Conference 2025, Danny Koo, the Executive Producer of Marvel Rivals, shared insights on how new characters are created for the game. The team at NetEase Games follows a strict process to introduce eight new heroes each year. The first step in creating a character is selection. With over 700 characters in the Marvel universe, the developers look for unique heroes. Koo emphasized the importance of making sure each character stands out. They consider both appearance and abilities, catering to various player preferences. Once a character is chosen, research begins. The team gathers background information and comic references related to the character. This research helps them build a detailed character history, which is shared with the design team. Next is the design phase. The design team creates multiple versions of the character based on the research. They continue refining these designs until everyone is satisfied with the final look. The final step is presentation and marketing. The team discusses how to introduce the new hero to players, ensuring that newcomers can understand their backstory. They often consult a comic historian to aid in this process. This detailed approach means that every new character in Marvel Rivals comes from the hard work of many dedicated developers. Each time players see a new hero, they can appreciate the effort behind it.