Revamping Marvel Snap's Emotes: A Crucial Need

Article Key Points

Marvel Snap has a social component with in-game emotes and pre-made phrases for communication, but many of these emotes have become toxic when used by players.

There are unspoken guidelines regarding the proper use of emotes in the game, however, certain emotes can be classified as toxic and cause frustration when excessively utilized.

To tackle this problem, Marvel Snap could introduce a "Mute All" feature and substitute toxic emotes with fresh ones. This would diminish in-game toxicity and allow for a focus on other Marvel characters.

Marvel Snap finds itself in a peculiar position when it comes to the social aspect of its online PvP gameplay. Although lacking a dedicated voice or text communication feature, the game continues to cultivate a community of committed players. To compensate for this deficiency, Marvel Snap relies on in-game emotes and pre-made phrases that allow players to express their sentiments about a match. However, the use of these emotes has unfortunately deteriorated into a representation of impolite and toxic behavior by some players. Consequently, the game's means of in-game communication has transformed into a double-edged sword.

Within the online community of Marvel Snap, there exist certain unspoken rules regarding appropriate emote usage. While some emotes, such as the Spider-Man Finger Point!, are relatively harmless and should be used when both players play the same card during a turn, others can be deemed toxic based on the circumstances and frequency with which players employ them. In order to preserve the game's longevity and prevent players from becoming excessively frustrated when faced with discourteous opponents, Marvel Snap must find a solution to address this issue.

Marvel Snap Can Take a Couple of Different Approaches to Solving Its Emote Problem

The primary solution for dealing with toxic emote users is to mute them during a match, which prevents their emotes from appearing on the screen. However, manually muting every player at the beginning of a match can be bothersome and doesn't address the root of the problem. To address this issue, an ideal approach would be for the game to incorporate a setting that automatically mutes all opponents, similar to the success seen in Marvel Snap where player-to-player communication is not present. This way, players can be relieved from concerns about encountering disruptive emotes.

Marvel Snap Emotes that Can Be Considered Toxic

Ms. Marvel Thumbs Up!

Thanos Snap

Deadpool Oops...

While initially designed to be relatively harmless, the toxic emotes, such as the Ms. Marvel Thumbs Up! and Deadpool Oops..., have taken on unintended meanings. Originally intended to convey sportsmanship and self-mockery, these emotes have become tools for mocking opponents. The Thumbs Up! emote is now commonly used to ridicule defeated opponents, while the Oops... emote is employed to mock poor gameplay choices. The Thanos Snap emote, known for its toxic nature, often provokes players into snapping or taunting them after a loss.

Marvel Snap can enhance the gaming experience by introducing fresh emotes devoid of the negative associations that some current ones have gained. By drawing inspiration from popular meme formats like the Spider-Man pointing meme, developer Second Dinner can easily create new emotes that bring a sense of novelty. This revamp not only promotes a healthier in-game environment by reducing toxicity but also gives other Marvel characters the spotlight they deserve.

During San Diego ComicCon 2023, Marvel Snap revealed an exciting collection of brand-new emotes showcasing iconic meme formats featuring Marvel characters. However, the availability and acquisition process of these emotes in the game remain uncertain.

While every update to Marvel Snap enhances the user experience, one aspect of the game remains largely unchanged - the emotes. Although voice and text chat are absent from Marvel Snap, it is not immune to toxic player behavior. A complete revamp of the emotes is crucial for enhancing the enjoyment and reducing frustration among players.

Marvel SNAP

Platform(s) PC, MobileReleased August 22, 2023Developer(s) Second DinnerPublisher(s) NuverseGenre(s) Digital Card GameMultiplayer Online Multiplayer See at Steam

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of Marvel Snap, I am concerned about the negative impact of certain emotes on the game's environment. The Ms. Marvel Thumbs Up!, Thanos Snap, and Deadpool Oops... emotes, in particular, have become toxic and cause frustration among players. These emotes were initially designed to convey sportsmanship and self-mockery, but they have been repurposed as tools for mocking opponents. This behavior is detrimental to the game's community and can discourage new players from continuing to play.

I believe that Marvel Snap should take action to address this issue. One possible solution would be to introduce a "Mute All" feature, which would allow players to silence all emotes from their opponents. This would reduce the impact of toxic emotes and create a more positive gaming environment. Another solution would be to replace the toxic emotes with new ones that are less likely to be used in a negative way. By taking these steps, Marvel Snap can improve the game's overall experience and foster a more welcoming and inclusive community.