As *Marvel Rivals* continues to dominate the charts on Steam and Twitch, a growing issue has caught the attention of its dedicated player base: the presence of bots. Launched in December, the superhero-themed competitive multiplayer game quickly received critical acclaim and fan praise for its distinctive style and innovative use of iconic characters such as Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the recently added Fantastic Four. With hundreds of thousands of daily players on Steam alone (via SteamDB), *Marvel Rivals* has successfully navigated many of the challenges that often plague similar titles. However, the implementation of AI enemies in various game modes has become a point of contention among fans.
One Reddit user expressed frustration, saying, "I know people may feel differently but playing against bots in (Quickplay) just doesn’t feel good at all to me. AI should be in AI modes and that’s it." This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the unexpected inclusion of AI opponents in standard Quickplay matches.
### Marvel Rivals Tier List: Best HeroesMarvel Rivals Tier List: Best Heroes
Much like other multiplayer games released over the past 15 years, *Marvel Rivals* features practice modes designed to pit players against AI opponents, commonly known as "bots." These modes allow players to adjust the difficulty to suit their needs, serving as an essential tool for skill improvement and a relaxing break from the intensity of human-versus-human matches. However, the game faces criticism for allegedly including bots in its Quickplay matches, which are intended to be solely player-versus-player.
For weeks, social media has been abuzz with players reporting encounters with what they believe are low-level bot players, sometimes even replacing their teammates. The prevailing theory suggests that *Marvel Rivals* might insert players into these easier matches after a series of losses, aiming to prevent frustration and reduce queue times. However, NetEase has provided little transparency on this matter, leaving players to speculate and search for signs of bot presence, such as repetitive in-game behavior, similarly formatted team names, and profiles labeled "restricted."
Another Reddit user voiced concerns about the lack of transparency, stating, "The fact that you can even get bot games after wins and that the game doesn't tell you that you're against bots is what gets me about this. You don't want to learn new heroes in comp because people will understandably rage at you for doing that, but if you try to learn a hero in (Quickplay) you now have to second guess if you actually are getting any better on that hero or if the game is just making you think you are because it's handing you free wins in the form of bots."
The use of bots in multiplayer games is not a new phenomenon, with debates about their impact seen in games like Fortnite. In *Marvel Rivals*, opinions are divided: some players advocate for an option to toggle bot matches, others demand their complete removal, and a few appreciate bot lobbies as opportunities to achieve specific hero milestones. Reddit user ciaranxy highlighted the issue, stating, "So, you can choose to believe this is an issue or not – that is your CHOICE. But – for everyone else – when you press Quickplay, NetEase does not give you a choice."
If you've spent considerable time with *Marvel Rivals* since its launch, chances are you've encountered one of these controversial lobbies. My personal experience aligns with player reports, having faced a suspicious Quickplay match with stiff player movements, uniform names, and restricted profiles across the board. We've reached out to NetEase for clarification on these matches and the alleged bot presence in *Marvel Rivals*.
As the gaming community continues to investigate bots in various games, you can also explore how some *Marvel Rivals* players are utilizing Invisible Woman to thwart bots effectively. Looking ahead, NetEase has ambitious plans for 2025, starting with the Fantastic Four in Season 1: Eternal Night Falls. Creative Director Guangyun Chen has committed to introducing at least one new hero every half-season, and later this month, fans can look forward to acquiring Peter Parker’s Advanced Suit 2.0 from Marvel’s Spider-Man.
