“Step aside, Overwatch!” Marvel Rivals has drawn inspiration from Splatoon for its new holiday event, offering a game mode nearly identical to Nintendo’s beloved title. Jeff’s Winter Splash Festival kicks off on December 19 with exclusive rewards for players.

Since its announcement, Marvel Rivals has been frequently compared to Overwatch, and not always positively. While the hero shooter genre shares many archetypal elements, there’s no denying the noticeable similarities between the two games. However, these comparisons haven’t slowed the success of Rivals. NetEase’s shooter has pulled in nearly half a million players on Steam, proving itself a hit. Now, as the Christmas season arrives, the game has found a new source of inspiration—or a mirror to reflect itself: Splatoon.

Jeff’s Winter Splash Festival Channels Splatoon’s Spirit

Like Overwatch and virtually every other live-service title, Marvel Rivals embraces seasonal events to keep its community active. This year marks the game’s first attempt at such an event with the “Joyous Winter” celebration. Scheduled to begin on December 20 at 8:00 AM CET, the event will run for a limited time, although NetEase has not yet confirmed its end date.

At the center of the festivities is the limited-time mode Jeff’s Winter Splash Festival. Featuring Jeff the Land Shark, this special 4v4 mode locks players into their chosen characters and challenges them to cover as much of the map as possible in their team’s color of snow—an unmistakable nod to Splatoon. Jeff will retain his usual set of abilities, and players can still use Ultimate moves to eliminate their opponents. However, victory doesn’t depend on combat alone: the team that covers the most ground in their colored snow wins the match.

Marvel Rivals’ Festive Skins Add to the Holiday Cheer

The update also introduces a series of holiday-themed skins that promise to delight players. Leading the pack is Groot, transformed into a glowing Christmas tree adorned with festive ornaments and twinkling lights. Other beloved characters, such as Venom, receive special winter-themed redesigns, including frosty, icy effects. Jeff the Land Shark isn’t left out either: he’ll appear wearing earmuffs, ski goggles, and a cozy scarf that enhances his already adorable charm.

In addition to the new game mode and festive skins, NetEase has teased more surprises for players. A winter-themed greeting card, for example, is said to deliver special gifts from Jeff and other in-game goodies. Although the full details remain under wraps, the developers have assured fans that these festive surprises will enhance the seasonal experience.

With this holiday update, Marvel Rivals demonstrates its ability to remain fresh and innovative, offering both new and engaging content. By drawing inspiration from popular franchises and adding festive twists to iconic characters, NetEase closes out the year with a creative update that embraces the joy of the season while keeping players immersed in the action.

You can read our review of Marvel Rivals here.

Source: 3djuegos