Marvel Rivals will not charge players for access to its extensive roster of playable superheroes and villains, developer NetEase has confirmed, as it explained the game's monetization strategy. In a recent 'Dev Talk' blog post, NetEase detailed its approach to monetization for the upcoming free-to-play hero shooter. The focus will be solely on cosmetic items, which can be purchased using the game's premium currency, Latice, or a free currency called Units. Various cosmetic bundles will be available, and while individual costumes for specific characters can be bought, bundles that include costumes, MVP animations, emotes, sprays, and nameplates will be offered at discounted rates.
"The team has invested significant effort into designing and crafting these in-game cosmetics, many of which are inspired by Marvel's iconic comics, films, and other works," NetEase stated. "These items not only honor Marvel's artistic heritage but also allow us to reinterpret and capture various aspects of the Marvel universe." The impressive roster of playable characters (currently over 30 and growing) will be accessible to all players for free. Future updates adding new characters, maps, and gameplay features will also be free, NetEase emphasized.
Similar to most shooters, Marvel Rivals will feature seasonal battle passes. However, unlike many games in the genre, purchased battle passes will not expire at the end of a season. Players will be able to continue progressing on old battle passes after the season ends, similar to the battle pass system in Halo Infinite. For the game's initial Season 0, the battle pass will be half the size of a standard battle pass due to its shorter duration and will cost half as much to compensate. Standard battle passes will cost around $10, while the shorter Season 0 battle pass will be priced at approximately $5. The premium (or Luxury) Season 0 battle pass will include five costumes and various other cosmetics, while the free version will grant one epic-quality costume and some additional freebies.
NetEase mentioned that other free cosmetics can be earned through achievements and various events. Units can be earned for free by completing achievements or participating in events and used to purchase cosmetics. Units are also included in the Luxury battle pass. The Overwatch-inspired shooter recently unveiled a series of new characters, including Wolverine, Squirrel Girl, and Black Widow. Marvel Rivals is set to release on December 6 for PC and consoles (or December 5 for North American players) and is available for pre-download now on PC.
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
