Free Units, but in another currency? How many do they need?
Marvel Rivals’ anniversary week is rolling out daily rewards of 200 units for players, a seemingly generous 1,500-unit gift over the course of the event. The catch? These units vanish after 21 days. Some players are shrugging it off (after all, free stuff is free), but critics say this is a clever introduction of a currency that will encourage unnecessary spending.
When Free Turns Into Paid
While 1,500 units sound like plenty, obtaining just a basic Epic skin pack will require extra units (so you’ll have to start spending or miss out). It’s that very feeling of FOMO that so many gatcha games use to prey on vulnerable players.
So despite the majority of players being happy to get a big wad of units for nothing at all, the real price is swallowing a predatory practice. A practice that may not affect you at all, but one that will pose a threat to vulnerable players- children, players confused about the many currencies, and anyone who isn’t seeing how quickly small purchases add up.
Previous Controversies
Netease isn’t new to controversy, in fact it tends to be their bread and butter. Netease’s Diablo Immortal not only had a “pay-to-win” progression system, but loot-box-style mechanics and limited-time currencies like we see here.
This isn’t the first new currency Marvel Rivals has released this year either, with one for skin recolours, so having “Units (Limited Time)” only muddies the waters further.
Predatory practices are a slope that Marvel Rivals has slowly but surely slid down this year (there’s even been leaks of the team considering lootboxes for Marvel Rivals too). What’s worse is that it’s likely been planned from the start, with the devs having previously touted the fact that they develop most of their content in advance.
Generous Game, But a New Risk
Marvel Rivals has earned praise for generous events and premium content in the past, but it’s this very blind-eye approach that has lead to rising prices (Remember when combat chests didn’t cost the same as a Battle Pass?).
Many fans are asking the community to push back before limited-time currencies become standard. The best way has always been to stop buying, because it’s hard for Netease to hear complaints over the sound of credit cards and cash.