Marvel Rivals is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its closed alpha by offering players a rare opportunity to acquire previously unavailable content. NetEase's popular hero shooter, despite being relatively new to the gaming scene, has already established itself as a contender in the competitive multiplayer space and is now rewarding its community with both nostalgic offerings and free rewards.
Galacta's Gift Event Introduces Free Rewards
Starting May 15, 2025, Marvel Rivals will launch the Galacta's Gift event, giving players the chance to earn various free rewards simply by playing the game. These rewards include Nameplates, Sprays, and Chrono Shield Cards, but the most valuable prize is a Costume Coin that allows players to redeem a debut costume for any of the 33 heroes featured in Season 0. This thoughtful addition ensures players can secure a piece of their main character's history for their collection without spending any money.
Galacta's Gift Event Details
- Event Duration: May 15-29, 2025
- Free rewards include: Nameplates, Sprays, Chrono Shield Cards, Costume Coin
- Costume Coin redeemable for one debut skin from any of the 33 Season 0 heroes
Season 0 Battle Pass Details
- Price: 590 Lattice (approx. USD $6)
- Notable skins: Mantis, Hela, Black Panther
- Premium track only (no free track)
- No expiration date for completion once purchased
Season 0 Battle Pass Returns for Limited Time
In a move that addresses community requests, NetEase is bringing back Marvel Rivals' debut battle pass from Season 0 for a limited time. This premium battle pass will be available at a special price of 590 Lattice (approximately USD $6) and includes coveted cosmetics for characters like Mantis, Hela, and Black Panther. Unlike many games that permanently lock battle pass content after a season ends, Marvel Rivals is giving players a second chance to obtain these items.
Why Players Missed the Original Battle Pass
There were several reasons why many players missed out on the Season 0 battle pass when it was first available. The preseason period was notably short, lasting only about a month compared to the standard three-month seasons. Additionally, some players joined the game after Season 0 had already concluded, while others may have been hesitant to invest in cosmetics for a brand new free-to-play game whose longevity wasn't yet proven. Now that Marvel Rivals has established itself, players might feel more confident investing in its premium content.
No Expiration on Battle Pass Progression
One player-friendly aspect of Marvel Rivals' battle pass system is that once purchased, there's no time limit on completing it. Players can progress through the battle pass at their own pace without the pressure of a looming deadline. However, it's worth noting that the returning Season 0 battle pass will not include a free track—it's available as a premium purchase only.
Limited Availability Window
Both the Galacta's Gift event and the opportunity to purchase the Season 0 battle pass will be available for a two-week period, starting on May 15 at 10am BST and ending on May 29 at 10am BST. After this window closes, there's no guarantee when—or if—these items will be available again.
Future Battle Pass Returns
NetEase has indicated that other battle passes might return in the future, though with certain conditions. Any returning battle passes would be spaced at least two seasons apart from their original release and would be priced at a minimum of 20% higher than their original cost. This approach balances giving players access to missed content while still maintaining some exclusivity for early adopters.
Industry Context
Marvel Rivals' approach to battle pass availability represents a middle ground in the ongoing industry discussion about FOMO (fear of missing out) in gaming. While some games like Overwatch have experimented with bringing back legacy content in limited ways, and others like Helldivers 2 and Deep Rock Galactic have implemented more player-friendly models, many publishers still rely heavily on time-limited exclusive content to drive engagement and purchases.
By making its debut battle pass available again while still maintaining some exclusivity through pricing and timing strategies, NetEase is testing a compromise that might satisfy both collectors and casual players alike.