Marvel Rivals Datamine Sparks Loot Box Speculation, but Developer Denies Plans

Datamined files from Marvel Rivals have raised speculation that the game may introduce a loot box system as part of its upcoming Season 4. References within the files describe these boxes as “Mysteries,” suggesting randomized rewards similar to mechanics used in other live-service titles.

The leaks indicate that two new in-game currencies were being considered for the system: Crystallization as the primary currency, and Marscoin, a secondary green token. Players would reportedly be able to convert existing currencies such as Lattice and Units into these new forms to participate in loot box openings.

The files also point to a rarity system organized by color tiers: Gray, Blue, Purple, Yellow, and the most coveted Red. While gray items appeared to be simple recolors of existing skins, higher tiers promised increasingly rare cosmetics. Potential rewards included character skins, emotes, sprays, and player cards. The loot boxes seemed designed to be tied to events or limited-time windows, a model familiar to players of other multiplayer games.

Despite the mounting speculation, developer NetEase has confirmed that loot boxes will not be implemented in Marvel Rivals. According to the studio, the datamined content represents leftover assets from earlier stages of development and does not reflect the final product. These files, while present in the game’s code, are not intended to be activated or used in the live release.

The clarification brings relief to players wary of randomized monetization systems, particularly in competitive online games. For now, Marvel Rivals will continue to rely on its existing monetization methods, while the appearance of the datamined files serves as a reminder of how quickly speculation can spread within gaming communities.