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Marvel Rivals, the multiversal hero-team shooter, has officially completed its first year. The game, which features heroes joining forces for various missions, has undoubtedly become a fan-favorite for many. A major highlight of Marvel Rivals is its roster of heroes and villains from Marvel Comics, introducing many players to characters they might not have known before. One thing that casual fans might not realize is that several Marvel heroes identify as LGBTQ+. While Marvel Rivals has already included many LGBTQ+ characters, some fans are calling for even more diversity. In response, the development team stated that they will only add new characters when they are a good fit and align with the narrative of that specific season. Let’s dive deeper into this story
This issue surfaced when TheGamer asked NetEase about the perceived lack of LGBTQ+ characters in the game, suggesting that more should be added for the sake of diversity. After all, many icons in Marvel Comics identify as LGBTQ+, such as Miss America, Valkyrie, and even Iceman, who has officially come out. However, NetEase hasn't included as many of these characters as fans had hoped. This stands in contrast to the earlier stages of Marvel Rivals, which featured a significant number of LGBTQ+ characters. Recently, however, the addition of such characters seems to have slowed down. Earlier inclusions featured diverse identities, such as Angela and Magik, who are Pansexual (attraction regardless of gender); Loki, who is Gender-fluid (shifting between gender identities); and Star-Lord, who is both Bisexual and Polyamorous, even across different species
NetEase explained their reasoning, stating: 'When designing and introducing new heroes, we are always inspired by the established relationships within Marvel Comics. Once a seasonal theme is set, we select hero pairings that best complement and fit seamlessly into that specific narrative.' For example, Rogue and Gambit were introduced during the 'Love is a Battlefield' event. Looking ahead, the addition of Deadpool and Elsa Bloodstone continues the story from the previous season, where The Grandmaster sent them to hunt down Rogue and Gambit. According to NetEase, this makes the character selection feel logical and grounded in the story. Similarly, when Angela was added in Season 4’s 'Heart of the Dragon,' her connection to Daredevil provided a natural fit for the roster
This is not even mentioning the character designs that appeal specifically to female fans, or the outfits and aesthetics tailored for the 'Kathoey' (the term they proudly use for themselves) or queer community. Characters like Emma Frost and Jean Grey are designed so beautifully that they have become absolute favorites among these fans. Then there are the male character skins as well. It wouldn’t be fair to say Marvel Rivals ignores the LGBTQ+ community, as the team seems to put effort into catering to all types of fans without limitations. We will just have to wait and see who the next hero will be
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