Marvel Rivals Matchmaking: NetEase Denies Rigging Allegations in New Video

The thrill of superhero combat in Marvel Rivals is being overshadowed for many players by mounting suspicion. A growing segment of the community is convinced the game’s matchmaking is not just unbalanced, but intentionally manipulated. Allegations have swirled that developer NetEase uses a system designed to engineer a near 50% win rate for every player, creating frustrating win and loss streaks to maximize engagement, a practice known as Engagement Optimized Matchmaking (EOMM).

NetEase Addresses Marvel Rivals Matchmaking Controversy Head-On

In a direct response to the community’s outcry, NetEase released a detailed video explanation featuring Lead Combat Designer, Zhiyong. The video categorically denies the implementation of any EOMM system within Marvel Rivals. The developer clarified that the matchmaking algorithm does not manipulate outcomes to force a specific win rate or to extend player session times. Instead, the system’s primary goal is to create balanced matches based on the average competitive score of all players in a lobby.

The explained process begins by searching for players of very similar skill levels. If wait times become too long, the system gradually expands its search parameters to find a suitable match more quickly. This can sometimes result in wider skill disparities within a team, which may feel unfair but is a side effect of prioritizing reasonable queue times over perfect balance. The developers attribute perceived win and loss streaks to natural probability and the inherent volatility of team-based gameplay, not a hidden hand guiding the results.

How The Matchmaking Algorithm Actually Works

The technical breakdown provided by NetEase highlights several key factors that influence lobby composition. The core metric is a visible competitive score, not a hidden ELO or skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) rating. Teams are built by attempting to balance the average competitive score across both sides. However, the current lack of role-locking means a team’s composition of Tanks, Damage, and Support heroes can become inherently unbalanced, leading to one-sided matches regardless of individual player scores.

This transparency aims to demystify the process for players. The sensation of a “rigged” match often stems from these compositional imbalances and the random nature of assembling solo players into a cohesive unit. NetEase’s advice for players seeking a more consistent and controlled experience is to form a pre-made squad, allowing for better team synergy and strategy, ultimately leading to more victories.

The community’s response to this clarification remains mixed, with some appreciating the transparency and others remaining skeptical based on their in-game experiences.

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Must Know

What is EOMM in Marvel Rivals?
EOMM, or Engagement Optimized Matchmaking, is a system allegedly designed to manipulate game outcomes to keep players engaged by enforcing a roughly 50% win rate. NetEase has officially denied using any such system in Marvel Rivals.

How does Marvel Rivals matchmaking work?
According to NetEase, the system matches players based on their visible competitive score. It aims to create teams with a similar average score and expands its search criteria if queue times are too long, which can occasionally lead to matches with varying skill levels.

Why are my Marvel Rivals matches so one-sided?
One-sided matches can occur due to several factors, including the random assembly of solo players into teams with poor hero composition (e.g., too many Damage heroes) and the system’s need to sometimes widen its skill search to reduce player wait times.

Is Marvel Rivals matchmaking rigged?
NetEase has firmly denied allegations that matchmaking is rigged. The developer attributes win and loss streaks to probability and the natural challenges of balancing a team-based shooter with random players, not a deliberate manipulation of results.