The fifth season of Marvel Rivals, dubbed the "season of love," launched with much anticipation, celebrating romantic pairings such as Loki and Mantis, and introducing iconic duos like Rogue and Gambit into the storyline.

While many fans reveled in the romantic developments, members of the queer community expressed some reservations. The game included subtle nods to LGBTQ+ relationships, such as Angela referencing her partner during dialogue—though she never explicitly confirmed their marriage—yet these moments were few and far between. In stark contrast, heterosexual couples received significantly more prominence and screen time throughout the game.

In an exclusive conversation with The Gamer, the development team at NetEase clarified that the limited representation wasn't necessarily a conscious oversight. They explained that their process involves selecting character pairings that best align with the overarching theme of each new season, rather than intentionally limiting or emphasizing particular relationships.

During our discussion with NetEase, we addressed the noticeable absence of explicit queer representation in Marvel Rivals. Their response was somewhat predictable.

They explained that their approach to character creation is heavily influenced by Marvel Comics' relationships, stating, "When we're designing and introducing new heroes, we always take inspiration from the character relationships in Marvel comics." They added that they align hero pairings with seasonal themes, choosing matches that complement the current storyline or event.

This explanation aligns with the recent "Season of Love," which introduced characters like Rogue and Gambit, yet it overlooks the fact that openly queer relationships are not explicitly depicted within the game. Due to the constraints of a single email interview, we couldn't delve deeper at that moment, but we've since sent a follow-up inquiry to gather more clarity.

Marvel Rivals does feature several LGBTQ+ characters, such as Angela and Magik, who identifies as pansexual; Loki, who is gender-fluid; and Star-Lord, who is both bisexual and polyamorous. However, these identities remain unrepresented or unexplored in the game itself. The broader Marvel universe includes many more LGBTQ+ figures like Miss America, Valkyrie, and Iceman, each of whom has openly embraced their identities in comics.

For those interested in the nuances of queer representation in gaming, subscribe to our newsletter. We provide in-depth analysis on how characters are portrayed, which narratives are prioritized or sidelined, and what genuine inclusion might look like in titles like Marvel Rivals.

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NetEase assured us that they maintain ongoing communication with Marvel’s team, leaving the possibility open that more inclusive content could be introduced in the future. Currently, however, the Rivals team appears somewhat indifferent to the topic.

Our full interview with NetEase will be published soon, and we will update this article should they respond to our follow-up questions.

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