Marvel Rivals is in Danger of Repeating MultiVersus Big Battle Pass Mistake

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Marvel Rivals is in Danger of Repeating MultiVersus Big Battle Pass Mistake

Highlights

  • Marvel Rivals’ battle pass model needs work to avoid the fate of other games with similar issues.
  • Challenge-only progression in battle passes can lead to player burnout and dissatisfaction with rewards.
  • To succeed in a competitive industry, Marvel Rivals should consider player-friendly monetization models.

As a longtime gamer and follower of the live-service genre,, I find myself growing increasingly concerned about the monetization models being implemented in some newer titles, such as Marvel Rivals. Having witnessed the fallout from similar models in other games, I fear that Marvel Rivals may be heading down a slippery slope if it doesn’t reconsider its approach to battle passes.

As a gamer, I’ve been enjoying the different phases of Marvel Rivals’ early access, but there are some niggling issues that have started to crop up. The game’s monetization strategy feels distressingly familiar – it seems like history is repeating itself from a recent misstep in the gaming industry.

Battle passes in games like Apex Legends are receiving increased criticism. For instance, recent suggested modifications to Apex Legends’ battle pass (eliminating the option for players to purchase it with in-game money) sparked significant pushback from the gaming community, causing Respawn to reconsider these adjustments. However, many players argue that not all games provide sufficient incentives to justify the expense of a battle pass. Additionally, some non-competitive multiplayer titles, such as Kill the Justice League, have begun incorporating battle passes, which some critics view as an ill-fitted attempt to follow industry trends.

Marvel Rivals May Be Following In MultiVersus’ Footsteps With Shoddy Monetization

Marvel Rivals is at present in its closed beta testing and has generated quite a buzz. Yet, unlike the rapid popularity it enjoys, praise for its battle pass model hasn’t come as easily. The main point of contention with this battle pass lies in how progress can be made; instead of earning XP through victories in gameplay, players must accomplish tasks to advance further in the pass. This approach has several drawbacks and has proven unsuccessful as demonstrated by MultiVersus—a game that has stirred up controversy due to a similar system.

Challenge-Only Progression Makes Players Play Less

As a long-time gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen the evolution of gaming monetization models, and I must admit, I’m growing increasingly concerned about the trend towards battle passes that rely solely on challenges for progression. Don’t get me wrong; I understand the appeal of earning rewards through challenges. It adds a sense of accomplishment and keeps us engaged in the game. However, when it comes to be the only means of advancing through a battle pass, it goes against the very essence of what makes these systems appealing.

This is exemplified by the biggest complaint fans have levied against the challenge-only model, particularly when it comes to the battle pass in MultiVersus and Marvel Rivals: players keep running out of challenges. If players burn through weekly and daily challenges fast, then they’re barred from further progression for an entire day. This is an anathema to the battle pass model, which gets by on the satisfaction found in the sudden rewards that come through just casual and competitive play.

Additionally, it’s unfortunate that challenges sometimes force players into actions they might not prefer. For instance, battle pass challenges often require playing a specific number of games or obtaining a certain amount of kills with particular characters or weapons. While this can be beneficial as an optional method to speed up progress, it can become tedious if required. This feedback played a role in MultiVersus‘s adjustments during its early stages, but the game eventually reverted to only challenge-based progression after its release.

Marvel Rivals Shouldn’t Die On This Hill

2021 sees an unprecedented influx of live-service games, such as Concord and Fragpunk, vying for dominance. To stay competitive in this crowded market, Marvel Rivals must refine its monetization strategy. Transitioning to a player-friendly model, which has proven successful for battle pass games, could be beneficial. However, if the developers opt to maintain the challenge-only method, they must offer an abundance of engaging challenges to keep players hooked.

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2024-07-30 19:36