Marvel Rivals developers address datamining rumors: no intentional trolling, just lots of ideas.

Dataminers recently unearthed a treasure trove of potential future characters within Marvel Rivals' code. While some predictions proved accurate (like the Fantastic Four's addition), the sheer volume of names sparked speculation: were some intentionally planted to mislead?

We directly questioned Marvel Rivals producer Weicong Wu and Marvel Games executive producer Danny Koo about this "elaborate troll" theory. While denying any intentional deception, they acknowledged the presence of leftover code from various design explorations. Wu explained that character development involves extensive concept art, prototypes, and testing, leaving traces in the game's files. The inclusion of a name in the code simply indicates that character was considered, not necessarily confirmed for future release. Koo used the analogy of a discarded notebook filled with brainstorming notes, inadvertently discovered by dataminers. He emphasized their preference for focusing development efforts on the game itself rather than elaborate pranks.

The selection process for new characters, they revealed, is a year-long endeavor. NetEase prioritizes maintaining a balanced roster, adding new characters approximately every six weeks. They assess the need for specific skillsets and character types, generating a pool of potential additions. These suggestions are then presented to Marvel Games, factoring in community interest and aligning with broader Marvel plans (films, comics). This explains the extensive list of names in the code – a reflection of NetEase's ongoing brainstorming and exploration.

The upcoming addition of Human Torch and The Thing on February 21st further showcases the game's continuous growth. The conversation also touched upon the potential for a Nintendo Switch 2 release, details of which can be found elsewhere. In short, while the datamined character list is intriguing, it's crucial to approach it with caution, understanding the extensive and ongoing development process behind Marvel Rivals.

(Note: Replace "https://img.icezi.complaceholder_image.jpg" with the actual image URL if one was provided in the original text. No image was present in the provided text.)