The game studio has banned Twitch streamers from criticizing the new shooter with Marvel heroes

There was a lot of excitement over the weekend regarding NetEase's new 6vs6 shooter 'Marvel Rivals'. Overwatch pro and Twitch streamer, Brandon “Seagull” Larned, has revealed details of a contract that anyone who wants to showcase the shooter must sign. The contract prohibits content creators from any criticism of the game and any negative comparison with competing games. This caused a shit storm. Developer NetEase immediately backed down.

What is Marvel Rivals? Marvel Rivals is a 6v6 shooter reminiscent of Overwatch, only with Marvel comic book heroes. There is currently an upcoming alpha test that is causing an issue.

Marvel Rivals prohibits negative coverage from content creators

This was the revelation: The Seagull Explained (Heb Twitter):

• Many creators have requested a code to test play Marvel Rivals.
• He asked you to sign the contract. Some people did it just to be allowed to play.
• But the contract prohibited streamers from making any critical or sarcastic comments about the game and prohibited “malicious comparisons” with competing games.

This is what Nawras demanded: The Twitch streamer said in a Twitch clip that he hopes “people more famous than him” will address the topic now because “it's not good.”

He stressed: The restrictions do not apply to advertising deals, but freedom of expression is restricted here only so that the game can be shown.

“It's illegal” – Shitstorm vs. Marvel Rivals is in the works

This was the reaction: The seagull's wish came true.

Asmongold took up Seagull's complaint and reached 520,000 viewers with the “Marvel Rivals: This is illegal…” clip (via Youtube).

On too Reddit “Marvel Rivals bans critical reviews” was one of the biggest topics over the weekend.

After Helldivers and Escape from Tarkov, the Company quickly reacts to Shitstorm

How did NetEase react? Unlike other companies, the developers recognized the storm very early and quickly backed away from it.

NetEase said in a statement that the terms of the contract were “inappropriate and misleading.” We sincerely apologize for the “misunderstanding and unpleasant experience.”

We are of course happy to receive criticism and suggestions on how to improve the game, after all we want Marvel Rivals to be as great as possible.

A new contract will now be drawn up; The old contract was just a draft anyway. Any creator who wants alpha code can contact him as well.

Here's what lies behind it: It seems very strange that this is all a “misunderstanding”. How could this be meant other than “if we let you play, please be good and don't compare us to Overwatch 2, you bums”.

Maybe this is a cultural difference: NetEase is a South Korean company and they misjudged it. You probably didn't think the streamers would announce this. Ultimately, of course, a contract like this invites you to go public. Perhaps there was simply a lack of care and no one with any foresight ever looked at the contract again.

However, not the highlight of NetEase.

At least NetEase here reacts much faster than Escape from Tarkov or Sony did with Helldivers 2, which first allowed the shitstorm to get too big before taking action: Helldivers 2: Community Manager advised angry players to write negative reviews