Marvel Rivals won’t add role-queues but other highly-requested matchmaking is an “ongoing debate”

Marvel Rivals is great thanks to its star-studded cast of superheroes and fun multiplayer gameplay, but there has been a lot of criticism for its matchmaking. Previously, NetEase has refuted rumors of using EOMM (Engagement Optimized Matchmaking), which has led to them now explaining exactly how skill-based matchmaking works for the game. While explaining the specifics of skill-based matchmaking and how players are pitted against one another, the Marvel Rivals developer explained why they will not add a role queue system while teasing the possibility of placement matches.

Marvel Rivals developer rules out adding role queue system but placement matches possible

On the game’s official X account, NetEase uploaded a nearly 20-minute video of Lead Combat Designer, Zhiyong, discussing the Marvel Rivals matchmaking and ranking system. This was to further dispel the EOMM rumors while also explaining how matchmaking works.  

In a nutshell, the developer explained that matchmaking factors include your competitive score which is calculated by Base and Performance Points. Base Points consider match outcome, your competitive score and the average competitive score of the opposing team, meanwhile, Performance Points are how well you perform in matches.

In addition to the above, searches become broader the longer you wait for a match. While the explanation of how matchmaking works for the game was interesting, perhaps the biggest disappointment for fans was the ruling out of a role queue system seen in Overwatch.

While NetEase are open to improving matchmaking, they are not planning to add role-based matchmaking because it “would significantly increase queue times while still failing to fully eliminate skill discrepancies between matches”. Zhiyong also said that NetEase “believe that allowing players the freedom to play as their favorite superheroes and team up with others to create diverse, creative team comps encourages more varied strategies and gameplay”.

Optional role queue has been a recurring request for some Marvel Rivals fans, so it’s perhaps disappointing news NetEase have no intention of adding the feature, at least for the time being. In response to the explanation on Reddit, a lot of players have called for NetEase to add “placement matches,” claiming it would “solve most of the matchmaking problems”. In response to the request for placement matches, executive producer, Danny Koo, said “Ongoing debate but I’m on the placement side of things”.

It will be interesting to see how NetEase attempt to improve matchmaking in future seasons. No specific plans were shared in the video, but at least we know placement matches is a possibility.

Ongoing debate but I’m on the placement side of things.

— Danny Koo – 黑帮火锅 – (@zingodude) August 21, 2025

In other Marvel Rivals news, a leak suggests the game will land on more platforms.