Former Blizzard President Calls Marvel Rivals an Overwatch Copycat, Cites Black Widow as a Lift of Widowmaker
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Marvel Rivals, the team-based shooter developed by NetEase Games in collaboration with Marvel, is set to release on PC and consoles on December 6. For many, this won’t be the first time experiencing the game, as it has previously been available in a beta version. Over the past few months, players have had the opportunity to get a sense of what the game has to offer, and it has often been compared to other titles, notably Overwatch.
While it may seem similar to Overwatch at first glance, Marvel Rivals takes a few steps to distinguish itself. One of the most noticeable differences is that it is a third-person shooter, whereas Overwatch is a first-person game. Additionally, matches in Marvel Rivals feature 6v6 gameplay, whereas Overwatch 2 currently uses a 5v5 format. Another noteworthy aspect is the battle pass system, which is more generous than in many other live service games. Players can continue to progress even after a season has ended, a feature that sets Marvel Rivals apart from many other titles in the genre.
Marvel Rivals Faces Criticism for Being Too Similar to Overwatch
Despite trying to establish its own identity, Marvel Rivals has faced criticism. Mike Ybarra, former head of Blizzard and a key figure behind Overwatch, shared his thoughts on X/Twitter, comparing Marvel Rivals to Overwatch. “Looks like Overwatch Marvel Rivals ships tomorrow. Much like Light of Motiram (a clear copy of HZD) out of China,” Ybarra tweeted, referring to a new survival game that closely resembles Horizon Zero Dawn.
He further noted the similarities between character names, such as Widowmaker in Overwatch and Black Widow in Marvel Rivals, which he found hilarious. Ybarra went on to criticize the involvement of NetEase and Tencent, suggesting that their approach to game design is often similar across different projects.
While there are clear similarities, it’s not uncommon in the gaming industry for new titles to draw inspiration from successful games that came before them. The difference between being inspired by a game and copying it can be hard to see, and many games borrow features from others to make something new, even if they are clearly influenced by older games.
Speaking to MP1st last month, NetEase responded to the comparison with Overwatch, acknowledging the similarities but emphasizing their intention to create something unique. “We are honored to be compared with some of the best games out there in this genre and we feel we offer an experience that builds on some familiar gameplay elements,” said the team. They highlighted that Marvel Rivals aims to offer a faster-paced, more accessible experience, with a focus on “abilities-heavy gameplay” that puts players in control of their favorite Marvel heroes.
In other Marvel Rivals news, the developers have introduced a system designed to identify and penalize XIM users, with a strict zero-tolerance policy on illegal tools and cheats.
More MP1st Reading:
- Marvel Rivals Black Widow Reveal Has Fans Worried; NetEase Says “Not Quite” on One-Shot Kill Potential
- Marvel Rivals Cheaters Were Banned in Less Than 7 Games on Average, Hydra Charteris Base Map Revealed
- Marvel Rivals Drops to 540p and Loses Graphics Quality on Xbox Series S
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