Hey there Legend! Just to bring to your notice that some links and ad banners on this page are affiliates which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support!
Marvel Rivals Devs Shut Down PvE Hopes—For Now
February 16, 2025If you’ve been dreaming of teaming up with your friends in Marvel Rivals to take on waves of enemies in an epic PvE mode, you might want to pump the brakes. Despite growing rumours and speculation, developer NetEase has confirmed that there are currently no plans for a dedicated PvE mode—but they aren’t completely ruling it out. So, is there still hope for some kind of PvE content in the future?
Table of Contents
Marvel Rivals and the PvE Buzz
It didn’t take long for Marvel Rivals to become a massive hit. The team-based hero shooter, which pits iconic Marvel characters against each other in chaotic, high-speed combat, has been drawing in a huge player base.
But as with any successful multiplayer game, fans are already asking for more. One of the biggest requests? A PvE mode—something that would let players fight AI-controlled enemies instead of just other players.
Recently, rumours surfaced suggesting that a PvE boss fight could be on the way, leading many to speculate that an entire PvE mode might be in the works. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
What the Devs Had to Say
At the DICE Summit in Las Vegas, NetEase producer Weicong Wu was asked directly about the possibility of a PvE mode. His response was pretty straightforward:
“For now we don’t have any kind of a PvE plan, but our development team is continuously experimenting with new game play modes.”
That means, at least for the time being, PvE fans shouldn’t hold their breath. But Wu didn’t stop there. He hinted that NetEase is actively testing different gameplay ideas, and if they find something that works, they’ll consider bringing it to players.
Marvel Games executive producer Danny Koo also chimed in, asking whether the interviewer personally wanted a PvE mode—suggesting that they are aware of the demand and at least interested in feedback.
Wu followed up with another interesting point:
“If we come up with a hardcore PvE experience, that will be a totally different distinctive experience from what we have right now.”
This suggests that if a PvE mode were ever introduced, it might be something completely separate from Marvel Rivals’ current structure—perhaps as a seasonal event or limited-time mode rather than a full-fledged game mode.
Why No PvE? The Challenge of Adding a New Mode
For those wondering why NetEase isn’t jumping on PvE right away, there are a few key reasons:
1. Balancing a PvE Mode Would Be a Huge Task
Marvel Rivals is designed around PvP combat, where players control the chaos. PvE would require entirely new enemy AI, reworked abilities, and different mechanics to keep things challenging yet fun.
2. Maintaining Fast Updates
Marvel Rivals currently gets new characters every month and a half, with major balance changes to keep things fresh. A PvE mode could slow down their ability to keep up with PvP balancing.
3. It Might Not Fit the Game’s Core Vision
Many hero shooters struggle with adding PvE because it requires a completely different design philosophy. Games like Overwatch 2 attempted it but ultimately scaled back their PvE ambitions due to resource challenges.
Is a Lighter PvE Mode Possible?
While a full-fledged PvE mode isn’t in the works, Wu’s comments suggest that a smaller PvE experience isn’t off the table.
“…maybe a lighter mode, in a lighter sense of that, and to see what would work best for our game.”
This could mean a limited-time event, survival mode, or smaller-scale missions rather than a full campaign. Perhaps we’ll see special PvE events where players take on Marvel villains—something similar to Fortnite’s crossover PvE modes.
It also raises the question: Would PvE in Marvel Rivals be story-driven, or purely combat-focused?
- If it’s story-driven, it could offer a way to explore Marvel lore.
- If it’s combat-focused, it might be something like wave-based survival against AI-controlled enemies.
Either way, it’s clear that NetEase is open to experimenting—but not rushing into anything.
What’s Next for Marvel Rivals?
Even without PvE, Marvel Rivals is still growing fast. The Human Torch and The Thing are joining the roster on February 21, continuing the game’s regular character updates.
NetEase has also been addressing fan feedback, balancing the game, and keeping an eye on community requests—so if players keep asking for PvE, who knows?
For now, though, Marvel Rivals remains a PvP-only experience. If you were hoping for a co-op mode, you might have to wait a little longer—or keep dreaming.
While games are fun, it’s highly important to note that there’s more to life than sitting countless hours playing video games – there’s a purpose and more to life; seek out that purpose more often!
