The competitive superhero landscape is about to get a fiery makeover. NetEase Games has announced a major collaboration between its popular team-based shooter, Marvel Rivals, and the highly anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The centerpiece of this crossover is a brand-new, dynamic team-up ability for two of Marvel's First Family, The Thing and the Human Torch. This strategic addition allows Johnny Storm to literally pick up his rocky teammate and carry him across the battlefield for a devastating aerial assault, a move directly inspired by scenes from the upcoming movie's trailers. This reveal comes hot on the heels of the game's successful Season 3 launch, which introduced the powerful psychic mutant, Jean Grey, to the roster as a Duelist-class hero.
While the new team-up mechanic is generating significant buzz, NetEase is ensuring the entire Fantastic Four gets the cinematic treatment. A complete set of new character skins, modeled directly after the team's appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, will be available for Mister Fantastic, Human Torch, The Thing, and the Invisible Woman. These outfits, characterized by a sleek powder blue and white color scheme, are scheduled to launch in-game on July 24 at 7 PM PDT, just one day before the film's theatrical debut on July 25. This synchronized release creates a powerful synergy between the game and the movie, immersing fans in the new aesthetic across multiple platforms.
The game's content pipeline shows no signs of cooling down. Looking beyond the immediate Fantastic Four hype, the developer's recently released Season 3 roadmap has players eagerly marking their calendars for August 8. This date heralds the massive Season 3.5 update, which is poised to introduce the vampire hunter Blade as a new playable hero. The update is also expected to deliver the usual suite of balance adjustments, bug fixes, and fresh cosmetic items to keep the meta evolving. For a game that continues to build momentum, these regular, substantial updates are key to maintaining player engagement and competitive integrity.
Summer Event Brings a Wave of New Looks
Coinciding with this flurry of announcements, NetEase has officially kicked off the Marvel Rivals Summer Special event. This seasonal pass offers players a chance to earn rewards through gameplay and purchases:
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Free Tier: Players can unlock Thor's 'Worthy Waves' skin simply by progressing through the event pass.
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Premium Tier: For those investing Lattice (the game's premium currency), exclusive new skins for The Thing and Luna Snow become available.
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Limited-Time Shop: Brand-new summer-themed skins for Psylocke and Loki have also been added to the in-game shop for a limited duration, giving fans more ways to customize their favorite heroes.
This multi-pronged approach to content—combining major cinematic collaborations, new hero releases, and seasonal events—paints a bright picture for Marvel Rivals' future. The community's response has been largely optimistic, with many praising the direct ties to the MCU and the continuous flow of meaningful additions. From the ground-shaking team-up of The Thing and Human Torch to the stealthy arrival of Blade, Marvel Rivals is solidifying its position as a dynamic and ever-expanding arena for superhero showdowns. As 2026 progresses, fans can likely expect this pace of innovation and crossover to continue, seamlessly blending the worlds of comics, film, and competitive gaming.