Summary
Players have discovered Winnie The Pooh holds a spot on the growing list of banned words and phrases withinMarvel Rivals, prompting both curiosity and confusion. Community guidelines and moderation are a cornerstone of any online game, especially one as large asMarvel Rivals, but many fans may be perplexed as to what could be offensive about Winnie The Pooh, the classic stuffed animal come-to-life. When looking deeper, the bear’s connection to the Chinese government may likely be the reason he’s one ofMarvel Rivals' unmentionables.
Despite being released at the tail end of 2024,Marvel Rivalsquickly took the world by storm, and the hero shooter is poised to do the same in 2025. Not only does the new year bring a new season, but several iconic faces are set to joinMarvel Rivals' roster as the months continue. Rumors and speculation started weeks ago as to who may join the game, though certain leaks indicate a very “fantastic” set of characters will soon arrive. Players got a taste of what they can expect in terms of limited-time seasonal updates with Jeff’s Winter Splash Festival in December, though the talk of the town right now is what players can say, or rather what they can’t say withinMarvel Rivals.
Players have discovered that Winnie The Pooh is a banned phrase inMarvel Rivals. Those who type the loveable bear’s name in the in-game text chat box will be greeted with a message reading, “Text contains inappropriate content.” This is probably confusing for those who may be out of the loop when it comes to Winnie The Pooh and the character’s connection with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which is likely the reason the phrase is banned in the first place. Winnie The Pooh has become associated with Jinping and China in general over the last decade, with the character often being used online, primarily on Twitter, to criticize Xi. Games likeKingdom Hearts 3avoided Winnie The Pooh entirelyso as not to cause controversy with the Chinese government, and considering thatMarvel Rivalsdeveloper NetEase is a Chinese company, the decision to do the same is not all that surprising.
Marvel Rivals Bans “Winnie The Pooh” From Game Chat
Online moderation is crucial for any multiplayer game, withMarvel Rivalsbeing no different. Other banned words or phrases inMarvel Rivalsinclude “Isis,” “Hitler,” and “Free Taiwan,” with more likely to be discovered as players continue enjoying the game post-launch. Since its release,Marvel Rivalshas maintained a steady player count, reaching over 20 million total players within its first few weeks.
As stated earlier,Marvel Rivalsis on the cusp of entering its Season 1 update, which may include new events, modes, and maps. While there’s a lot to speculate on, the new season will most certainly include a new battle pass, which will feature stickers, emotes, skins, and other customization options. Players can acquire skins by progressing through the season or choose to spend real money onMarvel Rivals' in-game currency, Lattice, and purchase items outright. While there isn’t an official launch date yet, Season 1 ofMarvel Rivalsis expected to drop around January 10.
Marvel Rivals
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!A Deep and Varied Marvel RosterChoose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game DynamicsWith intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there’s never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.Dynamic Hero SynergyCoordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot’s back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man’s armor for massive damage, and so much more!Creative Environment DestructionTear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch UpdatesThe Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
