Marvel Rivals developer NetEase attempted to explain its ban on negative reviews for players given early access to the game.
A screenshot from Marvel Rivals (TBD), NetEase Games
Marvel Rivals is described by NetEase Games as a “Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter! Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!”
The game’s trailer looks like it’s an Overwatch style game with a Marvel skin.
READ: After Disastrous Box Office Results In 2023, Marvel Reportedly Lays Off Around 15 Employees
On May 11th, streamer Brandon Larned better known as Seagull, who previously competed as a professional Overwatch player for Luminosity Gaming, NRG Esports, Team EnVyUs, and Dallas Fuel revealed that the contract to play the game early had a ban on negative reviews.
Larned shared a screenshot from the contract that states, “The Content Creator agrees not to make any public statements or engage in discussions that are detrimental to the reputation of the game. This includes, but is not limited to: Making disparaging or satirical comments about any game-related material such as game features, characters, or music. Engaging in malicious comparisons with competitors or belittling the gameplay or differences of Marvel Rivals or providing subjective negative reviews of the game.”
Larned commented on X, “Extremely disappointed in Marvel Rivals. Multiple creators asked for key codes to gain access to the playtest and are asked to sign a contract. The contract signs away your right to negatively review the game. Many streamers have signed without reading just to play. Insanity.”
Brandon Larned on X
NetEase responded to the ban on negative reviews telling PCGamesN that “the contract is a draft version aiming for long-term cooperation with the creators who are interested in Marvel Rivals.”
The developer added, “The development team hopes to have more meaningful and consistent feedback, suggestions, and criticisms through more in-depth cooperation.”
Furthermore, the company stated it was “working [on] revising terms and will share [them] back to the content creators community. All terms will go live only when both parties have discussed and have agreed.”
A screenshot from Marvel Rivals (TBD), NetEase Games
PCGamesN also reported that the NetEase shared a message in the game’s Discord for content creators. It states, “We are aware that there are inappropriate and misleading terms in the commitment regarding sharing non-disparagement content. We sincerely apology for the miscommunication and your unpleasant experiences!”
“Our stand is absolutely open for both suggestions and criticisms to improve our game,” NetEase continued. “And we our mission is to make Marvel Rivals better satisfy players by those constructive suggestions.”
“We are now working on revise the miscommunication terms from our commitment. The progress will be shared with every creator in a timely manner. Marvel Rivals always welcome creators join our community and create amazing contents together with us. Content creators are respected not only as a player, but part of the community here. Speaking of this, a suggestions form for Content Creator program is about to release in the channels which open to all opinions,. Looking forward to hear your thoughts,” the post concluded.
Screenshot of Marvel Rivals Content Creator Discord published by PCGamesN
What do you make of NetEase’s apology and explanation for banning negative reviews of Marvel Rivals?
