“Players of Marvel Rivals Use Bounty Website to Fight Against Griefers, Resulting in Heightened In-Game Tension”

"Players of Marvel Rivals Use Bounty Website to Fight Against Griefers, Resulting in Heightened In-Game Tension"


### Intlist: A Controversial Bounty Platform in Gaming

On February 23, 2023, Intlist was introduced, enabling users to issue bounties on “griefers & throwers” in well-known online games such as *Marvel Rivals*, *Overwatch*, and *Valorant*. Nonetheless, the *Marvel Rivals* community has raised considerable concerns about the platform, mainly holding NetEase responsible for the establishment of Intlist and the larger issues related to player misconduct.

#### The Genesis of Intlist

Intlist was established by a collective of individuals, one of whom is a former professional player known as EchoRivals. The platform’s creators contend that it emerged due to a “void” left by NetEase, which they assert has insufficiently tackled matters related to Engagement-Oriented Matchmaking (EOMM) in *Marvel Rivals*. The founders maintain that were NetEase to enhance their systems—particularly by abolishing EOMM and implementing stricter sanctions on players who sabotage games—their platform would cease to exist. Conversely, NetEase has repeatedly denied the use of EOMM in *Marvel Rivals*.

#### Community Backlash

Players of *Marvel Rivals* have shown irritation towards NetEase for its lax stance on punishing individuals who intentionally disrupt games, often referred to as “throwers.” Conversations on the subreddit r/rivals reveal that numerous users routinely voice complaints about the absence of efficient punishment measures, with some posting grievances on a daily basis. The community’s frustration has escalated to the point where they are now calling for action against Intlist, perceiving the website as worsening the problem instead of solving it.

#### The Ethics of Bounties

Intlist provides monetary incentives for players who take steps against the specified targets, which provokes ethical queries. Despite their assertions that posted bounties are “not an endorsement to harass the target,” many bounties include identifiable details—such as Twitch usernames—enabling users to possibly track targets beyond the game itself. This feature has intensified further outrage among *Marvel Rivals* players who worry that such actions could incite harassment.

A notably contentious bounty listed on Intlist targets pro player Jay3, offering a $7 bounty on his virtual head. This explicit instance of singling out an individual for public accountability has ignited intense discussions regarding the motives and consequences behind Intlist’s activities.

#### Security Concerns

Adding to the challenges facing Intlist, the platform encountered a security breach that led to unauthorized access to select user information. After this incident, founder EchoRivals informed the Intlist Discord server that several email addresses linked to bounty posts had been compromised, resulting in increased scrutiny and criticism of the site’s oversight and security measures.

#### Conclusion

Intlist is maneuvering through a divisive environment within the gaming community. While its founders profess to be addressing valid complaints regarding player behavior, the ethical issues it introduces, along with persistent security concerns, place it under considerable examination. The situation is evolving, with both the *Marvel Rivals* community and NetEase being urged to pursue a resolution that will suitably tackle player misconduct without resorting to potentially harmful or risky measures like public bounties. The efficacy and future of Intlist are yet to be determined as the gaming community continues to articulate its concerns.