Introduction to the Concept
NetEase Games continues to captivate Marvel fans with its promise of introducing at least one new hero every half-season in Marvel Rivals. However, one imaginative player has taken matters into his own hands by crafting a playable Doctor Octopus concept that has garnered significant attention and admiration from the community.
A Sneak Peek into Gameplay
Recently, Reddit user WickedCube shared a fascinating 30-second video on r/MarvelRivals, showcasing early gameplay footage that features a pre-Hulk Bruce Banner. At first glance, the scene appears to be set in a testing room, but fans quickly recognize the eight-armed menace of the Marvel universe—Doctor Octopus. This unrefined yet intriguing take on the notorious Spider-Man villain demonstrates WickedCube’s vision for integrating Doc Ock into the game.
A Unique Gameplay Mechanic
While the animation may seem a bit stiff and quirky, the concept is undoubtedly compelling. WickedCube has designed a gameplay mechanic that allows Doctor Octopus to magnetize and maneuver around obstacles effortlessly, essentially giving him the ability to “fly” near stable structures. This feature is particularly important in a game where the environment is destructible, adding a layer of strategy to gameplay.
The character comes equipped with distinct abilities, including “Havoc Claw” for melee attacks and “Wrecking Grip” for ranged combat, reflecting WickedCube’s dedication to creating a fully realized character. As of now, the post has received an impressive 16,000 upvotes, highlighting the enthusiasm surrounding this creation.
Inspiration Behind the Creation
WickedCube describes his motivation for this project, stating, “Doc Ock has always been one of the coolest villains in Spider-Man, and his tentacles would be a challenge to implement.” He recognized the potential for a unique gameplay experience, as no game to date has fully realized Doctor Octopus’s 3D movement capabilities.
The inspiration struck during a PSN outage that left him unable to play Marvel Rivals. While browsing Twitter, he stumbled upon some captivating fan art of Doctor Octopus, which ignited his creativity. “Since I can’t play right now, why not make it myself?” he thought.
Community Response and Future Plans
The response from the gaming community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many fans urging NetEase to incorporate WickedCube’s ideas into the official game. The indie game developer expressed his gratitude, stating that the reception has been “incredibly rewarding.” He is more than willing to share his insights and hopes to see some of his concepts brought to life by the Marvel Rivals team.
Despite not planning to refine the design further, WickedCube aims to release a playable version of Doctor Octopus soon. He also envisions creating a YouTube tutorial series to share his journey and open-sourcing the code on GitHub, making his work accessible to aspiring developers on platforms like Itch.
Looking Ahead for Marvel Rivals
NetEase is set to enhance Marvel Rivals with two new official characters: the Human Torch and The Thing. Their addition follows the early launch of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, marking a strong start for the game. Fans remain eager for future updates, particularly as the potential for additional heroes and villains from Marvel’s extensive catalog keeps excitement alive.
WickedCube’s idea for Doctor Octopus emerged from the community’s desire for more tank-like characters, known as Vanguards, in the game. While there are no immediate plans for Doctor Octopus to join the roster, he is already brainstorming other character concepts, including noteworthy X-Men figures like Nightcrawler and Professor Xavier.
Final Thoughts
Marvel Rivals is poised to deliver its Season 1 mid-season update soon, bringing new characters, balance changes, and gameplay improvements. As the community eagerly anticipates the upcoming launch, discussions surrounding character leaks and studio developments continue to unfold, keeping fans engaged and hopeful for even more Marvel excitement in the future.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with extensive experience writing for various gaming sites. Follow him on social media for more insights and updates.
