NetEase has shared that there are no plans to switch to a franchise league model for its esports scene.
The game will retain its open ecosystem for the foreseeable future, continuing with Seasonal Championships and Ignite, but is open to ‘every possibility in the future.’
In an online interview with Jake Lucky, Adam Huang, Lead of Esports Tournaments for Marvel Rivals, said: “I think for the beginning we will not undergo this, because they will restrict how we behave. We want to go independently so that we can arrange everything individually. If everything goes smoothly, we will consider every possibility in the future.”
A franchise league system consists of teams buying a permanent spot in the league, removing the risk of relegation. Examples include the Call of Duty League with its city-based format, League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and more.
Marvel Rivals currently has a more open system. The seasonal Championships allow for any team or roster to compete. The Ignite series is a mix of invitations from previous esports events, alongside the best teams that have progressed through the Open Qualifiers.
Marvel Rivals and Esports Skin Bundles
During the Marvel Rivals Ignite event, NetEase also shared how it plans to expand the game’s young esports ecosystem. While a franchise league is unlikely for now, esports cosmetics and bundles were being considered.
In the same interview, Huang said: “If we want to build this ecosystem, we have to do more than the initial prize pool. We have to launch something similar to team bundles, and maybe bundles that contribute to the players, to the teams, and to the Grand Finals prize pool.”
This could work similarly to how Overwatch treats esports skins. Whether this is through OWCS team packs, themed after qualified rosters with revenue splits, or a general bundle that contributes to a tournament prize pool.
Marvel Rivals has released esports-related skins in the past, including Twitch Drops that were launched to promote the Marvel Rivals Ignite Mid-Season Finals.
