Eight months after its release in December last year, Marvel Rivals has faced a wave of complaints over its poor matchmaking. Some fans have even convinced themselves that NetEase is using a rigged engagement-optimized matchmaking system, or EOMM, that forces wins and losses.
NetEase has denied the EOMM claims, stating that Marvel Rivals does not use such a system and promising to release an explainer video next week on how its matchmaking works. Even so, many players remain unconvinced, feeling that their matches have been suspiciously “rigged” since the arrival of Season 3.
Personally, there is a clear solution to this issue: Role Queue. But we know NetEase and its playerbase aren't ready for that conversation yet.
Role Queue is a system that locks players into specific roles before a match begins, ensuring that they stick to their assigned positions without disrupting the flow of the game or undermining team strategies. For instance, if you pick Vanguard, you remain a Vanguard for the rest of the match, same goes for the other two roles.
This concept isn't something that comes out of the blue. Overwatch introduced Role Queue in 2019. While it did not completely fix matchmaking, it reduced the number of unfair games by pairing players according to skill within each role.
Matchmaking is a complex problem in competitive shooters, yet NetEase appears to be taking a more relaxed approach. They have explicitly stated they have no plans to implement Role Queue for now, choosing instead to let the existing matchmaking system speak for itself, and look how it is now. However, they have not completely ruled it out for the future. This makes now an ideal time for Marvel Rivals to address its current matchmaking concerns, and Role Queue remains a solid suggestion.
Overwatch’s Role Queue announcement was initially met with criticism from players who feared it would kill the “casual fun” of picking any hero, such as running triple tanks, triple supports, or even full tank teams. But once the system was implemented, many players grew to appreciate it, with matches becoming more “fair” and “ideal,” according to the game’s Matchmaking Data Report. So, why not Marvel Rivals?
In Marvel Rivals’ case, some players are also hesitant about the idea, worried that it might diminish the fun, chaotic style of the game. However, with the third-person shooter already leaning into the competitive esports scene and offering massive prize pools at tournaments, staying purely “fun” could harm its long-term growth as a competitive shooter. This is why NetEase should resist pressure from players who prefer a completely open experience. Besides, they could always offer competitive modes: Open Queue and Role Queue, but splitting the player base would inevitably lengthen matchmaking times. A necessary sacrifice.
Even so, Role Queue is a necessary step if Marvel Rivals wants to compete with its peers. While NetEase refuses to acknowledge the Overwatch 2 influence, much of the game is clearly inspired by Blizzard’s 2016 Game of the Year title, only with Marvel characters. Implementing Role Queue could greatly improve matchmaking, though it will likely take time for players to accept it as the “standard” way to play.
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