Marvel Rivals gacha skin prompts criticism from players after Psylocke cosmetic launch

Marvel Rivals has generally received a positive response from players regarding its approach to monetisation, with only a few past events drawing criticism over pricing. The game, developed by NetEase, has been viewed by many in the community as offering a reasonable return on in-game purchases.

The latest cosmetic release has altered that sentiment for some fans. NetEase has introduced a gacha-style method for unlocking Psylocke’s Daring Daifuku skin, leading to frustration among players who argue that the approach differs significantly from the title’s usual cosmetic distribution.

To obtain the skin, players must pop balloons on a board, each revealing a random reward. The cost increases with every balloon popped, meaning the skin might cost 100 Units for some or up to 2,400 Units for others.

Fans noted that a legendary skin and emoji bundle typically costs around 2,400 Units, which has led some to describe the system as reminiscent of gacha mechanics rather than a direct purchase model.

The probability of acquiring the Psylocke skin on the first attempt is five per cent, rising to eleven per cent on the second, a structure some players believe encourages spending in hopes of securing a cheaper result.

On Reddit, user PhilosopherOk1583 described the release as the first time they had “actually been let down by Rival’s monetisation scheme.” Others voiced concerns about how the probabilities were presented, with some users assuming the odds would be one in six rather than the disclosed percentages.

One user, Danica_Rose, said the event had “tarnished my feelings about NetEase as a whole,” while another, Daizo678, referred to the mechanic as “pure gambling.”

While gacha systems are common in many live-service games, Marvel Rivals has largely sold cosmetics directly. Some fans view this latest system as a potential test for wider use, depending on player spending and feedback.