Marvel Rivals Dev Apologizes For Not Letting Content Creators Criticize The Game

Developer NetEase will make changes to its Marvel Rivals content creator program, after creators took issue with the program's restrictive non-disparagement agreement that forbade them from negatively speaking about the game.

The upcoming free-to-play hero shooter featuring Marvel heroes and villains is currently in closed alpha. As pointed out over the weekend by popular Overwatch streamer Seagull, content creators involved in the Marvel Rivals alpha signed a contract stating they would not be allowed make "disparaging or satirical comments about any game-related material" or engage "in malicious comparisons with competitors or belittling the gameplay or differences of Marvel rivals or providing subjective negative reviews of the game."

Following negative feedback on the contract, NetEase apologized for the "unpleasant experiences or doubts" caused by the non-disparagement agreement, and stated in a post on X that it will make changes to the contract and its content creator program. It now actively wants to encourage creators to "share their honest thoughts, suggestions, and criticisms as they play," NetEase said.

"We sincerely apologize for the confusion, suspicion, and frustration caused by these excessively restrictive terms and thank you for sharing with us," NetEase stated. "We cherish and appreciate every suggestion given by our players and always respect your feedback. We are currently working with creators who have expressed these concerns and are revising the current version to be less restrictive and more creator-friendly."

Marvel Rivals takes heavy inspiration from Blizzard's Overwatch, but there are a few key differences, namely that the game is played from a third-person perspective and also features semi-destructible environments that will change the flow of the match. Those interested in joining the Marvel Rivals closed alpha can sign-up via the game's official website. So far, the Marvel Rivals roster includes 19 characters, including fan-favorites like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Black Panther, as well as lesser known heroes and villains like Luna Snow and Peni Parker. For more on the game, check out everything we know about Marvel Rivals so far.

NetEase's literal hero shooter will be released on PC, with no additional platforms confirmed as of yet. Marvel Rivals will be free-to-play and does not yet have a release date, with NetEase stating earlier this year that the game was still in early development.