Marvel Rivals controversy background

Marvel Rivals recently launched the Closed Alpha Test which has restricted access. Content creators who wanted to cover the game were basically guaranteed access but had to sign a contract with a non-disparagement clause which basically prevented them from revealing the game’s drawbacks.

Obviously, this was a major ethical breach that also happens to be illegal in numerous countries, prompting backlash from which NetEase is currently trying to find a way out.

NetEase claims the clause was a miscommunication

After the contract caused waves of controversy all over the world, Marvel Rivals’ marketing manager posted a tweet, apologizing for “miscommunication and unpleasant experiences”.

Additionally, the person in question noted content creators should reach out to them for keys, should anyone be interested in covering the Closed Alpha Test.

Possible additional red flags

While the inclusion of the non-disparagement clause in the contract signed by content creators was already a horrible red flag, other examples have popped up after the aforementioned claims about miscommunication.

Some might claim it was a language barrier that caused the clause to be included but anyone who played the game so far noted that typos could be found all over the place. Similarly, the tweet by the marketing manager is filled by typos and shoddy translation.

However, the contract itself was written precisely and in flawless English.

This hints at thorough proofreading, which is common for any company’s legal department. Therefore, possible claims of being unaware of such a clause or “miscommunication” will be quite questionable.

Furthermore, other people who had close encounters with the contract stated their access was revoked after discussing the clause, casting an even bigger shadow of doubt over NetEase’s candor. Eventually, the access was reinstated and NetEase will apparently revise the contract to be less restrictive.

That said, the bitter taste left behind by the clause will linger on. After all, who’s to say the company will not attempt to tamper with reviews in the future?