While the flawed launch of Marvel’s Avengers has been well documented, there are still some gamers that are hoping to see it make a comeback. With a lot of hype for the War for Wakanda expansion and optimism around Spider-Man’s Marvel’s Avengers debut, gamers are looking forward to what is coming in the near future. However, things become a lot murkier in late 2021 and beyond, and Crystal Dynamics needs to get rid of any doubts before it is too late.

Marvel’s Avengers is running out of time to rebuild its player base and have a proper renaissance, as 2022 is shaping up to be a tough year for the game. As such, it needs to end 2021 with a bang, delivering a content drop beyond Black Panther’s DLC. Clear plans also need to be laid out for the game’s next Season, with a proper roadmap shown to the public. If the right steps are not taken to close out the year, it is hard to imagine that the game will survive for that much longer.

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First and foremost, Crystal Dynamics needs to avoid another situation like the Kate Bishop DLC’s delay. This means that the War for Wakanda expansion needs to meet its August release window. With fans hoping that this Black Panther content will bring a lot of people back to the game, getting it out on time is crucial. Marvel’s Avengers needs to build up a larger player base sooner rather than later, and it needs to keep them engaged after they have played through all the War for Wakanda content.

For PlayStation platforms, dropping the Spider-Man DLC shortly after War for Wakanda should do the trick. While Crystal Dynamics has confirmed that he will come after Black Panther’s expansion, holding onto him for too long would be a bad idea. Instead, they should strike while the iron is hot, dropping him in September or October to really get fans invested again. Two exciting heroes dropping in close proximity would be a big deal, as the heroes having previously been released too far apart.

However, while it will help to get these two heroes out, it is only a first step in restoring the game. Marvel’s Avengers’ PC player count has hit a ridiculously low number, and it could continue to plummet if nothing more is done. While Spider-Man dropping shortly after Black Panther would keep PlayStation users hooked, those on Xbox and PC will surely feel left out. Though the exclusivity of the character ensures that this cannot be fixed, Crystal Dynamics dropping other content quickly would be a big deal. While those on other platforms cannot play as the webslinger, giving them someone else to play as or fight against would be a nice gesture.

Right now, the biggest issue that Marvel’s Avengers fans are facing is a lack of info on what will come next. Beyond War for Wakanda and Spider-Man, the game’s future is uncertain. This is a major issue, as it could suggest that the game will stop getting new content beyond these two characters. If that is the case, players may not be motivated to jump back into the game or pick it up. If new content is coming to a halt after T’Challa and Peter Parker are added, players may be less interested in their DLCs. In turn, they may not play them at all, as there would be no real reason to level up the new heroes.

Crystal Dynamics desperately needs to change this narrative, announcing a new content roadmap for Marvel’s Avengers. Players need to know when they are getting new missions, modes, and characters, and having a clear outline for that content is essential. While the current roadmap is about to come to an end, it has done a lot of good since it was first shown. Having an idea of what is coming and when has been huge, and this open communication has been a major help. As such, as soon as War for Wakanda releases and this roadmap is finished, the new roadmap needs to release.

When the next roadmap does come, Crystal Dynamics needs to make sure that it does not only cover 2022 content. It must have a section for 2021, as players cannot be expected to only play War for Wakanda for four months straight. While the next expansion being set for a 2022 release would make sense, there needs to be more content until then. A new villain sector like the Cosmic Cube would be a great option, as it would fix the game’s issue with boss fights. Likewise, a seasonal event would be great, with something like Marvel Zombies for Halloween guaranteed to get some people to log in. No matter what form this content takes, players need to know that it is on the way — and some of it must come before 2021 is over.

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While getting the currently announced heroes out fast is important, and a new roadmap is essential, Marvel’s Avengers needs to surprise its fans. This can be done in a few ways, though either would be beneficial. One option would be an Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus release for Marvel’s Avengers. While the former could help build up the smaller player bases, the latter could double down on the game’s main platform. Regardless of the service used, though, free access to the game would guarantee a larger player base for Marvel’s Avengers. As a result, there would be a healthier ecosystem for the live service title, making it likelier go get more support.

An even better option would be to start releasing some story expansions for the game. Right now, the decision to have every new piece of content tied to a new hero is slowing things down, as Crystal Dynamics needs to make a new hero and a storyline for them. However, the game’s issues are not tied to its hero count. Nearly all the big issues can be corrected via new story arcs with fresh villains. Not only have Loki and Yelena Belova been teased, but introducing a heavy hitter like Kang or Thanos could instantly build excitement. Focusing on these villains could see new enemy types introduced as well as some unique regions and bosses. With Crystal Dynamics not needing to release a hero alongside them, these Operations could drop at a faster rate.

With a leaked DLC hero lineup promising more content, not seeing it come to fruition would be a shame. However, it is hard to imagine all of it releasing if something does not change soon. A big surprise could instantly change things for Marvel’s Avengers, though, as it is right on the cusp of greatness. To close out 2021, dropping a surprise DLC focused on a new big bad would be a great way to revive the game. A PS Plus or Game Pass release could prove just as beneficial, giving Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix a few options. At the very least, a new roadmap is needed that promises fans that good things are on the way. No matter what Marvel’s Avengers decides to do to close out 2021, it does need to do something to end the year on a strong note.

Marvel’s Avengers is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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