Players don't trust ranked in Marvel Rivals and stats prove it

Recent statistics about the rank distribution in Marvel Rivals on PC have surfaced on social media, providing both intriguing and concerning insights. One critical aspect to focus on is the concentration of players in the Bronze rank, particularly Bronze 3. In Marvel Rivals, reaching level 10 automatically places you in Bronze 3, after which you must engage in ranked matches to progress further.

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In typical competitive games, advancing from Bronze 3 to Bronze 2 is relatively straightforward. Game developers often aim for a rank distribution that follows a Gaussian curve, or bell curve, where the majority of players are found in the middle ranks, such as Gold. This model encourages players to move toward the center, with each win granting more points than a loss, effectively pulling players from the lower ranks up.

However, the data from Marvel Rivals shows a stark deviation from this norm. There are four times as many players in Bronze 3 compared to Bronze 2, indicating a non-Gaussian distribution. This unusual pattern suggests that players may not be as engaged with the ranking system as expected. The reasons behind this disinterest can vary widely, but such a significant skew in rank distribution could be a red flag for NetEase, the game's developer. It might signal underlying issues with the game's mechanics, player incentives, or overall appeal of the competitive aspect, which are crucial elements for maintaining a healthy and engaged player base.