Marvel Rivals, currently dominating Steam and Twitch charts, faces a growing controversy: the suspected presence of bots. Since its December launch, the game has garnered praise for its style and use of iconic Marvel characters. Its popularity is undeniable, with hundreds of thousands of daily Steam players (via SteamDB). However, a recurring concern among players centers on the AI opponents in various game modes.
"Playing against bots in Quickplay just doesn't feel good," one Reddit user commented. "AI should be in AI modes only."
Marvel Rivals Tier List: Best Heroes
Marvel Rivals Tier List: Best Heroes
Like many multiplayer games, Marvel Rivals includes practice modes with adjustable AI difficulty. The problem arises with the suspected inclusion of bots in standard Quickplay matches. Players report frequently encountering matches where opponents, and sometimes even teammates, exhibit characteristics suggestive of AI control. The suspected trigger? A string of losses, potentially designed to prevent player frustration and maintain quick queue times.
NetEase has remained silent on this issue (IGN has requested comment), leaving players to speculate. Social media discussions highlight several potential indicators: repetitive, unnatural in-game behavior; similar player names (often single words in all caps, or unusual combinations); and, most notably, enemy profiles labeled "restricted."
"The game doesn't tell you you're against bots," another Reddit user stated. "Trying to learn heroes in Quickplay becomes frustrating because you can't tell if you're improving or just winning against AI."
The use of bots in multiplayer games is not new, and similar debates have surrounded titles like Fortnite. In response to the Marvel Rivals situation, some players advocate for a bot toggle, while others demand their complete removal. Others, however, see bot matches as opportunities to complete hero achievements. Reddit user ciaranxy's post highlights this ongoing debate: "When you press Quickplay, NetEase doesn't give you a choice."
Many players report experiencing suspicious Quickplay matches with telltale signs: stiff player movements, similar names, and restricted enemy profiles. NetEase has been contacted for clarification.
While the bot controversy unfolds, players are exploring strategies to counter suspected AI opponents, such as using the Invisible Woman (see: how some Marvel Rivals players are using the Invisible Woman to literally stop bots in their tracks). Despite this, NetEase's future plans remain ambitious, including the Fantastic Four in Season 1: Eternal Night Falls, at least one new hero every half-season, and the upcoming Peter Parker's Advanced Suit 2.0 skin from Marvel's Spider-Man.
