The upcoming free-to-play PVP shooter, Marvel Rivals, has revealed its monetization strategy, focusing on a unique and player-friendly Battle Pass system. Detailed in a recent “Dev Diaries” blog post, the system has garnered significant positive attention from the gaming community. Unlike many other games employing similar models, Marvel Rivals has confirmed that purchased Luxury Battle Passes will not expire at the end of a season. This eliminates the pressure of grinding to unlock rewards within a limited timeframe.
NetEase Games, the developer behind Marvel Rivals, explained the system in their blog post: “Once you purchase a Luxury Battle Pass, you can continue to redeem its rewards in subsequent seasons if you don’t finish it during the current season. There’s no need to worry about not having enough time to complete it.”
The Luxury Battle Pass will cost 490 “Lattices” or 8000 “Units.” Players can earn Units for free through gameplay, such as completing Battle Pass tiers, achievements, and events. Lattices can be purchased, starting at $0.99 for 100 Lattices, with larger bundles available, including an 11,680 Lattice bundle for $99.99. Both currencies are also rewarded through the Battle Pass itself.
Battle Passes have become a common monetization strategy in free-to-play games, allowing players to earn rewards through gameplay progression with the option to accelerate progress through microtransactions. Games like Fortnite, Overwatch 2, and Call of Duty: Warzone utilize this system. However, many of these games employ limited-time Season Passes, creating a sense of urgency for players to complete them before the season ends.
Marvel Rivals Launches on Consoles and PC On December 6.
A Fresh Approach to Free-to-Play Monetization
Developed by NetEase Games in collaboration with Marvel Games, Marvel Rivals is a 6v6 PVP superhero shooter reminiscent of Overwatch. Announced earlier this year, the game features a diverse roster of Marvel characters battling across iconic locations from the Marvel universe, including a blended Yggdrasil and Asgard known as Yggsgard, the Hydra Charteris Base, and the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda. The game boasts 33 playable characters at launch, such as Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Rocket Raccoon & Groot, and Scarlet Witch, with additional characters like Black Widow, Cloak and Dagger, Iron Fist, Squirrel Girl, and Wolverine confirmed for future releases. The game underwent closed alpha testing in May and closed beta testing in late July/early August on both PC and consoles.
Marvel Rivals is rapidly gaining popularity amongst Marvel fans and gamers. The game offers players the chance to experience unique Marvel locations and play as their favorite superheroes. With its impressive character roster and engaging gameplay, the game is shaping up to be a major contender in the free-to-play shooter genre.
The non-expiring Battle Pass system implemented by Marvel Rivals represents a respectful approach to player engagement, allowing players to progress at their own pace without the pressure of limited-time rewards. This contrasts with the often-controversial practice of limited season passes, offering a refreshing alternative in the free-to-play market. This player-focused approach could potentially influence other games in the genre to adopt similar systems.
