The Marvel Rivals Bot Conspiracy, Explained

Marvel Rivals' popularity on Steam and Twitch is undeniable, but a growing concern among players casts a shadow over its success: the suspected use of bots.

Since its December launch, the hero shooter has garnered significant praise for its style and roster of iconic Marvel characters, boasting hundreds of thousands of daily Steam players (via SteamDB). However, weeks of discussion on social media highlight player concerns about AI opponents appearing in standard Quickplay matches, not just the designated practice modes.

"Playing against bots in Quickplay just doesn't feel good," one Reddit user stated. The sentiment is echoed by many who believe the game strategically inserts bots after consecutive losses, potentially mitigating player frustration and reducing queue times.

The lack of transparency from NetEase regarding bot implementation fuels the controversy. While the company hasn't commented (IGN has reached out for comment), players have identified potential indicators of bot matches: repetitive and unusual in-game behavior, similar player names (often single words in all caps or oddly structured), and, most notably, enemy profiles labeled "restricted."

"The game doesn't tell you you're against bots," another Reddit user pointed out. This lack of information hinders players' ability to accurately assess their skill improvement, especially when practicing new heroes.

The debate mirrors similar discussions surrounding other multiplayer games like Fortnite. While some players tolerate occasional bot matches for achievement completion, many demand a toggle to disable them entirely. Others suggest complete removal. A Reddit user, ciaranxy, highlighted the lack of player choice in encountering these matches. "When you press Quickplay, NetEase does not give you a choice," they stated in a post urging community investigation.

The author confirms encountering a suspicious Quickplay match exhibiting several reported red flags. NetEase has been contacted for comment on these concerns.

Despite this controversy, NetEase's plans for Marvel Rivals in 2025 are ambitious, including the Fantastic Four in Season 1: Eternal Night Falls, a new hero every half-season, and the upcoming release of Peter Parker's Advanced Suit 2.0 skin. Meanwhile, learn how some players are using Invisible Woman to counter suspected bots.