Could Marvel Rivals Help Facilitate Better US-China Relations?

Marvel Rivals, released on December 6, 2024, on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation, is the latest entry in the hero shooter genre. While Overwatch has long dominated this space, it may be time for a new chaotic, team-based game to take the spotlight.

East and West Synergy

Developed by gaming giant NetEase Games, headquartered in Guangzhou, China, with offices in Seattle, the game utilizes iconic Marvel superheroes like Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Captain America, while also allowing players to team up with villains like Venom, Magneto, and Loki in action-packed, colorful 6v6 arenas.

The game boasts excellent sound design, well-crafted maps, and simple gameplay that players familiar with the genre will quickly pick up. Being a third-person shooter, Marvel Rivals showcases each Marvel legend in their iconic glory. Each character stays true to their source material, offering expressive, engaging designs that are fun to watch and play.

What stands out most to me, beyond the captivating gameplay and vibrant art style, is the potential for Western and Eastern audiences to come together through characters beloved for over 60 years. Spider-Man, the Hulk — these are universally recognized figures. Even though the characters were created in America, the Marvel Universe enjoys a massive following in China, highlighted by the Marvel Universe attraction at Shanghai Disneyland.

China is the largest gaming market in the world, making the financial incentive for a game like Marvel Rivals undeniable. With dedicated servers globally, the game has strong potential to unite Eastern and Western communities while fostering competition through esports.

Although we don’t yet know the full roadmap for competitive esports within the game, the Marvel trademark could prove invaluable in securing big prize pools that entice players to compete for trophies and profit.

The inclusion of Tokyo-themed stages in the game is a nice touch, drawing attention to the world’s love of Japanese culture and appealing to Marvel’s Japanese fanbase. If NetEase manages this project well, Marvel Rivals could become one of the biggest games, connecting Western and Eastern fanbases, casual players, and aspiring professionals alike.

Perhaps we’ll even see Chinese players gain recognition in the West for their incredible gameplay as Rocket Raccoon or Iron Man. The game even features some Chinese writing, which has left some players confused. This inclusion of Chinese characters is likely part of a broader strategy to celebrate and bring attention to Chinese culture and artists.

Privacy Concerns and Political Implications

If you’ve been following the news, you might know that TikTok faces a potential ban at the beginning of 2025 due to “national security” risks. I wonder if Marvel Rivals and NetEase will face similar scrutiny regarding privacy concerns, given that the company is based in China. Such accusations could have significant implications for the future of gaming.

It’s already well-known that games today collect vast amounts of data on players. Perhaps this concern is premature, but it’s worth considering how technologies influence public relations and politics. Still, I believe accusations of serious privacy violations or concerns about how a Chinese company uses player data will likely go ignored. Most players care little about the political and economic implications of games as long as their gameplay isn’t affected or the costs of in-game cosmetics and DLC don’t rise.

Of course, there have been instances where politics, activism, and esports have collided. The more connected the world becomes, the more issues are spotlighted and shared.

Questions for the Future

How will NetEase’s origins impact its ability to secure sponsorships? How much will China’s gaming industry invest in making Marvel Rivals a viable product in the competitive gaming space? Will international teams be brought in? Could major players in esports, like Saudi Arabia, get involved?

There’s potential for Marvel Rivals to feature at the World Esports Cup in 2025, but many questions remain. Nevertheless, this game could serve as a valuable tool to unite global gaming culture and add fuel to the rapidly growing esports machine.

China has actively promoted the global dissemination of its games as a cultural export, with several games enjoying major success abroad. The country has established a policy framework to promote traditional Chinese culture through innovative digital mediums, including high-quality games. In 2019, Beijing unveiled gaming industry development guidelines that aim to leverage games as an international medium for conveying compelling Chinese stories.

— Liz Wang, The Role of Gaming and Esports in China’s Innovation Strategy: A Cultural Export and Source of Soft Power, August 2024