Marvel Games and NetEase Games have announced Hawkeye will be joining the Marvel Rivals launch roster alongside a new map for Wakanda, Birnin T’Challa with many more to come.
Launching on December 6, 2024, Marvel Rivals is a new superhero team-based PVP shooter, letting players assemble a squad of Super Heroes and Super Villains battling each other with unique powers across many destructible maps from across the Marvel multiverse. Adding on to the many heroes that will be unlocked right from the get-go as it is free-to-play, Hawkeye has been announced to join the launch rosters alongside a new map for Wakanda, Birnin T’Challa, a new Imperial Protocol Costume, a glance into behind the scenes, and Season 0 roadmap.
One of the most exciting recent announcements from Marvel Rivals is the introduction of Hawkeye, also known as Clint Barton, renowned for his unparalleled marksmanship skills. Although he has no superpowers, he has a natural talent to hit any target, earning him a place alongside the Earth’s mightiest heroes. With Hawkeye, you will be taking down an entire fleet of enemies with nothing but your stacks of arrows as it pierces your enemies.
With Hawkeye arriving in Marvel Rivals, the game also steps into the futuristic, interstellar city of the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda—Birnin T’Challa. The city features a unique urban landscape with high-density vibranium skyscrapers combined with traditional African tribal architectural styles, presented boldly through the lens of Afrofuturism. As you explore the new map, it is clear that the totemism and religious beliefs of old have never left Wakanda, with statues of Bast, the Black Panther goddess, visible throughout the city in various forms—from vibranium statues to holographic projections.
Leading up to the launch, the Marvel Rivals devs have revealed the roadmap, with the players jumping right into Season 0, Dooms’ Rise. For the month-long season, there will be a total of 33 heroes and eight maps for Quick Match and Competitive modes, a Conquest Map, and a new Practice range with “Doom Rise” serving as an opening season to unleash the chaos caused by Doctor Doom’s time experiment. Alongside Season 0, players can watch Volume 1 of a video series on the development journey and plan for Marvel Rivals.
At the launch of Marvel Rivals, there will be a battle pass packed with many costume and cosmetic items, but with season 0 only lasting a month and having half the content of a full Season Pass, it will be priced accordingly. Not to mention, the in-game store will be updated regularly and packed with costumes from classic comics, MCU-inspired designs, costumes directly reflecting the game story and many more.
Lastly, Marvel Rivals introduces the “Imperial Protocol” series of costumes, designed around the concept of Afro futurism that combines the ancient tribal elements of Africa with futuristic, intergalactic technologies. During the story of Season 0, Black Panther has become the monarch of Wakanda, donning his kingly outfit, “Imperial Protocol: Galactic Claw”, to match his status. Black Panther won’t be the only hero getting a costume as throughout the story, Captain America will possess the “Imperial Protocol: Galactic Talon” armour and Mantis wearing the “Imperial Protocol: Galactic Wings”, both combining their aesthetic with futuristic tech. Not to mention, Hawkeye will be the fourth character in the story to receive an “Imperial Protocol” costume, soon to be revealed.
With the many contents that will be arriving in Season 0 of Marvel Rivals, are you excited to play the game? As of now, be sure to wishlist the game on Steam as it will be released on December 6th, 2024.
