Marvel Rivals fans are in for a treat this week as NetEase, the developers behind the popular free-to-play online shooter, are bringing back the very first cosmetic battle pass. If you missed out on purchasing it the first time around, prepare to dig a little deeper into your pockets this time. The developer has confirmed that this will be the new standard for all returning passes moving forward.
Since its launch last year, Marvel Rivals has been a hit among console and PC gamers, despite some layoffs within the company. The game has always offered a generous battle pass system, allowing players to earn free rewards during each season or opt for the premium version for even more goodies. Unlike other games, once you’ve purchased a pass in Rivals, you can unlock its rewards at your own pace. However, with the return of old passes, prices are increasing. The very first battle pass from “Season 0” is making a comeback, but at a higher cost than before. While it originally cost 490 Lattice, it will now set you back 590 Lattice. That’s about a $5 to $6 jump in price. The pass will only be available for two weeks, with no free option this time around. If you want those rewards, you’ll need to shell out some cash.
NetEase has mentioned that future passes may return as well, but not until at least two seasons have passed since their debut. When they do return, they will cost 20 percent more. The first season of Rivals was short, happening over the holidays and lasting only four weeks. This meant many players missed out on the initial battle pass, which includes cool skins for Punisher, Black Panther, and Mantis. It’s great that the pass is coming back, and it’s reassuring to know that all passes will likely return after a few months. However, the price increase is a bummer. Paying more for the same content that’s now months old feels pretty shady. It might push more players to opt for premium passes in future seasons to avoid the higher costs later on. Despite the nice battle pass system, Rivals seems to be introducing more FOMO with these changes.
As a new graduate journalist, I’m not really sure why this matters, but Marvel Rivals fans should be excited about the return of the first cosmetic battle pass. Sure, you’ll have to pay more this time around, but at least you have another shot at grabbing those exclusive skins. It’s a bit disappointing that prices are going up for old passes, but maybe it’s just me. Overall, it’s nice to see the developers bringing back old content for players who missed out the first time.
