“Defeminization, No waist, no hip”: We Are Glad Marvel Rivals Fixed the Glaring Mistake From Marvel’s Avengers

SUMMARY

• Marvel's Avengers' character design was criticized for being too plain and simple, which is largely why the game failed to attract more people.
• Marvel Rivals does a great job at stylizing its characters and incorporating a unique design language into the game.
• For a visual medium like video games, it is important to have a unique design language that sets a game apart in a crowded market.

Marvel Rivals is often appreciated for its stylized design language and visual representation of superheroes from the Marvel Universe that was missing from Marvel’s Avengers.

Marvel Rivals has great character design. Image Credit: NetEase

Marvel’s Avengers’ character design was often criticized for being too plain and simple, with conscience efforts put into making the characters feel less attractive and plain. Fans are pleased about NetEase’s design decisions that avoid the biggest mistake made by the former.

Characters from Marvel Rivals are extremely attractive

Marvel Rivals is currently having a great run in the market. Image Credit: NetEase

Defeminization of some of the video game characters is a conscious decision taken by developers to tackle the problem of the male gaze; however, this is also an extreme step taken in the direction of making these characters appear duller and less attractive.

The male gaze is a big problem in today’s time, and it needs to be changed. However, the way to go about it is not to run from one extreme to the other. By giving a character depth and a great backstory, developers can help build a deeper bond with their players without needing to make them feel less attractive. A character can be stylized and still not just cater to the male gaze.

Stylized > Realism everytime

Yeah it’s a real shame. They make the most unlikable characters possible and get confused when people are upset. That’s some bad customer service. Not how I would do it.

The pattern needs to end if they want me to buy their games.

Marvel Rivals does a great job at striking that balance; it has some of the most stylized characters from the Marvel Universe, which helps shift the winds in the game’s favor.

Marvel’s Avengers failed largely because it got too carried away in its pursuit of making its characters seem less attractive. This was not the only contributor, though; the game lacked a unique and stylized design language overall.

Stylization should always be encouraged

All the characters are reimagined in a new light in Marvel Rivals. Image Credit: NetEase

For a visual medium like video games, it is important to have a unique design language that sets a game apart in a crowded market. Most Marvel games have not been able to dominate the market, but Marvel Rivals seems to be going in the right direction. Many more characters are coming to the game soon.

The game has managed to generate a lot of hype in just a month from its release, which is a great sign that speaks volumes of its successful run in the market.

People have been watching their favorite Marvel characters do superhero things for a while now, and NetEase does a great job at making these widely recognizable characters appear unique and fresh. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below.

Written by Anupam Lamba

Articles Published: 455

Anupam Lamba is an avid gamer and film lover. After completing his bachelors in Mass Communication he started working as a writer in the Indian film industry before his love for gaming made him venture into the lanes of Fandomwire and he started working as a gaming writer here.