Despite Its Popularity, Marvel Rivals Dissapointingly Lacks a Feature That Overwatch 2 Mastered

SUMMARY

• Marvel Rivals lacks cross-progression, a key feature Overwatch 2 and other live-service games have mastered.
• This limits player flexibility, discouraging multi-platform engagement despite the game's strong popularity and player retention.
• Fortunately, NetEase has confirmed that cross progression is in the works. But it really should've been there at release.

Marvel Rivals is the latest sensation in the gaming industry and has skyrocketed in popularity since its launch in December 2024. With its engaging gameplay and a robust roster of heroes, the game has retained an impressive 93% of its player base.

Given the amazing work NetEase has done, this omission is confusing. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

But while the game has found success in many areas, it glaringly lacks one crucial feature that Overwatch 2 has had for a long time: cross-progression. This lack of this feature is particularly surprising in 2025, where such functionality is expected in live service games.

Marvel Rivals beat Overwatch in a lot of ways, but not this one

Overwatch has taken a lot of losses vs NetEase’s new game but not here. | Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment

Cross-progression has become a standard expectation in new live service games. Titles like Fortnite and Overwatch 2 have set the bar high by letting players synchronize achievements, cosmetics, and purchases across devices. In Overwatch 2 players can merge their console and Battle.net accounts so that all skins, currencies, and progress are accessible regardless of where they play.

In a competitive market, where games vie for players’ time and money, such features are not just conveniences—they’re expectations. Players who invest in seasonal content or premium cosmetics want assurance that their efforts won’t be tied to a single device.

The absence of cross-progression in Marvel Rivals feels particularly jarring given its massive player base and competitive nature. As players switch between platforms like PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X, they are forced to start fresh on each device, losing access to battle pass rewards and premium skins purchased on another platform.

This isn’t new to the gaming community. Before cross-progression became a norm, players often had to endure duplicative efforts. Early Destiny players, for example, had to grind through separate campaigns on different consoles to play with friends, leading to a problematic experience.

NetEase needs to be very careful because it has an excellent game on its hands

We hope NetEase improves in the future. | Image Credit: NetEase Games

Marvel Rivals has shown that live service games can still succeed with the right combination of engaging mechanics and beloved characters. This is why its lack of cross-progression feels like an oversight, especially in a genre where crossplay is expected to come with cross-progression.

Marvel Rivals has succeeded in retaining its players through a combination of accessible gameplay and its implementation of the Marvel IP. The game’s popularity already rivals that of Overwatch 2 at its peak, with hundreds of thousands of concurrent players logging in daily. Its ability to maintain such a large player base shows the appeal of its mechanics and the appeal of Marvel’s beloved characters.

But player retention alone doesn’t excuse the absence of cross-progression. As live-service games evolve, players increasingly expect features that prioritize their convenience and investment. Marvel Rivals’ progression system currently feels like a step backward, particularly when compared to its competitors.

NetEase Games has yet to address whether cross-progression will be added to Marvel Rivals. Adding this feature would likely require significant backend changes, but the benefits will outweigh the effort. Players have already voiced their frustrations, and the ball is firmly in NetEase’s court.

What platform are you playing Marvel Rivals on? Let us know in the comments!

Written by Daniel Royte

Articles Published: 683

Daniel is a gamer through and through with a passion for gaming in his veins. His current adventures have taken him into the world of Elden Ring, Wuthering Waves, and Genshin Impact, amongst others.