NetEase Upgrades Storm Skin to Legendary After Backlash

Developer NetEase has announced it will upgrade a summer costume for the X-Men character Storm in its game Marvel Rivals to a higher tier following significant backlash from players who accused the studio of neglecting the hero and exhibiting racial bias. The controversy centered on the "Sacred Skies" swimsuit skin for Storm, which was initially released as an Epic-tier cosmetic, while every other female character's summer skin was designated as Legendary.

The backlash intensified because Legendary skins in the free-to-play shooter typically include enhanced features such as custom lobby animations, MVP animations, and other visual effects that Epic skins lack. Players pointed out that Storm, a prominent Black hero, had received only one Legendary skin in the nearly two years since the game's launch, while other characters, including some with similar popularity, had received more support. This led to widespread criticism on social media and within the game's community channels, with some fans alleging racial bias in the studio's cosmetic rollout decisions.

In a statement posted on its official social media channels, NetEase addressed the feedback directly. The studio confirmed...