Convention - SDCC 2025 : Marvel Rivals Brings the Heat with Cast Signings, Cosplay, and Season 3 Reveals

By Mulder, 11 july 2025

This year’s San Diego Comic-Con is gearing up to be a battleground of superpowered proportions as NetEase Games and Marvel Games bring their critically-acclaimed multiplayer shooter Marvel Rivals back to the heart of geek culture for a blowout presence that fans won’t soon forget. From July 24 to July 27, 2025, Marvel Rivals will take over not just the convention center, but the Marriott Marquis next door, offering an immersive, multi-day fan experience that promises hands-on gameplay, vibrant cosplay, signing sessions, behind-the-scenes panels, and even exclusive giveaways like limited-edition posters and keychains. The buzz is real, and for those who’ve followed the game’s explosive trajectory since its reveal, this SDCC marks a major milestone in the game’s evolution and its bond with the Marvel fandom.

The festivities kick off with a highly-anticipated panel on Thursday, July 24, titled Marvel Rivals: Meet the Cast, where fans will get the rare chance to meet the voices behind their favorite Marvel characters. The roster is nothing short of iconic, featuring Alpha Takahashi (Psylocke), Daniel Marin (Namor), Eliah Mountjoy (Winter Soldier), James Mathis III (Black Panther), Jordan Reynolds (Adam Warlock), and Xanthe Huynn (Dagger). Their performances have breathed life into this evolving Marvel universe, turning virtual battlegrounds into arenas of emotional stakes and legendary moments. These actors won’t just be present on stage – they’ll be available for interviews and photos beforehand, a golden opportunity for press and superfans alike to capture a bit of the magic behind the mics. It’s hard not to recall how James Mathis III’s impassioned delivery of Black Panther’s lines turned even a quick match into an operatic showdown, or how Alpha Takahashi’s Psylocke instantly became a fan-favorite due to her perfect blend of fierceness and empathy.

But SDCC isn’t just about the spotlight—it’s about the story behind the spectacle. On Friday, July 25, the second major panel, Marvel Rivals: Hero Creation from Concept to Showcase, dives deep into the developmental artistry that fuels the game’s ever-expanding multiverse. This is where the artistry of Dino Ma (Art Director), Peilin Zhong (Lead Character Concept Artist), Weitai Luo (Principal Environment Artist), and Zhen Li (Principal 3D Character Artist) meets the vision of Danny Koo (Executive Producer), Dakota Maysonet (Creative Development Manager), and Dan LaDuca (Senior Art Director) from Marvel Games. These creatives will peel back the curtain on the hero creation pipeline—from the earliest sketches to the thrilling Season 3 content reveal. Attendees will not only gain insight into character design and map architecture but also walk away with a newfound appreciation for the seamless collaboration between art and narrative. It’s this synergy that transforms Marvel Rivals from a typical shooter into a living, breathing Marvel experience.

Outside the panel rooms, the Marriott Marquis becomes a hub for all things Marvel Rivals. In a clever nod to summer vibes, attendees can snag exclusive swimsuit-themed posters during signing sessions with both the voice cast and the art team. These sessions, scheduled throughout Friday afternoon, have already begun trending on social platforms thanks to teases from Daniel Marin and Jordan Reynolds, both of whom shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of the new art prints. And yes, the Marvel Rivals Cosplay Show featuring Emiru as one of the game’s most beloved characters promises to be another high point—expect queues, cameras, and fan cheers echoing through the halls. If you’ve ever wanted to see what happens when cosplay passion meets Marvel style with NetEase-level polish, this will be it.

From a gameplay perspective, Marvel Rivals continues to build on its core promise: thrilling, team-based PvP action with a strategic twist. Players choose from heroes divided into three tactical roles—Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist—creating the kind of complex team dynamics rarely seen outside MOBAs or long-established franchises. But what truly sets Marvel Rivals apart is its Team-Up Abilities, a unique mechanic that lets players combine superpowers mid-match for devastating and often visually jaw-dropping results. These mechanics have drawn comparisons to the synergy of fighting games and the chaos of battle royales but maintain the identity of a Marvel experience first and foremost. It’s no surprise that Danny Koo and his team have frequently emphasized the importance of “feel” in gameplay—ensuring that when you play as Psylocke or Namor, you’re not just using abilities, you are those characters, embodying their attitude and their arc.

What makes this return to SDCC especially meaningful is the human factor behind the game. The developers—many of whom have prior experience working on genre-defining shooter titles—are not just professionals; they are Marvel fans themselves. This devotion can be felt in every detail, from the careful crafting of destructible environments to the nuanced reinterpretation of classic character designs. The fact that Dino Ma and Peilin Zhong are making themselves available for interviews and press events shows a confidence and transparency that fans rarely get from AAA-level game studios. It also highlights the continuing collaboration between NetEase Games and Marvel Games, a partnership that has become one of the most exciting to watch in the industry.

With all the attention focused on the game’s third season, the SDCC 2025 presence feels like a moment of celebration and community. It’s a full-circle experience where the voices, the visuals, the fans, and the creators converge under one roof. The Marriott Marquis might just become the most super-powered venue outside of Avengers Tower, and for those attending, it will be the kind of immersive deep dive that only Comic-Con can offer. Whether you’re there to shake hands with Zhen Li, cheer for Xanthe Huynn, or challenge a friend in a live match, Marvel Rivals is positioning itself not just as a great game, but as a full-fledged cultural phenomenon.

(Source : press release)