It’s 2026, and I find myself reflecting on the turbulent landscape of superhero video games. As a lifelong DC fan, I’ve watched with a mixture of hope and heartbreak as my favorite publisher, Warner Bros., has stumbled time and again in the live-service arena. The ghosts of Gotham Knights and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League still haunt the halls of my gaming memory, their launch-day servers as empty as a Wayne Enterprises boardroom after a Joker attack. Yet, when I look at the roaring success of Marvel Rivals—a game that has colonized the hero-shooter genre like a Kryptonian growth crystal on Earth—I don't feel envy. I feel a spark of possibility. The bravest, most brilliant move DC could make now isn't to forge a new path in the dark; it’s to shamelessly follow the trail of glowing neon light that NetEase and Marvel have blazed. They should build 'DC Allies,' a Marvel Rivals clone in all but name and roster, and do it with pride.

The evidence is undeniable. While Marvel has secured its foothold in the live-service future with Rivals, DC’s recent video game track record reads like a villain’s monologue about failure. James Gunn’s new DCU is rewriting the cinematic script with Superman and Creature Commandos, but the gaming division feels stuck in the past, its innovation as sluggish as a Parademon navigating a tar pit. The recent job posting from WB Games Montreal, the studio behind the cult classic Batman: Arkham Origins, confirms a new live-service DC game is in the works. To me, this isn't just another project; it's a lifeline. Instead of fearing the label 'clone,' DC should wear it as a badge of strategic honor. Marvel Rivals itself is a masterful student of Overwatch, proving that execution, not absolute originality, is the true superpower in today's market.

So, what would my ideal 'DC Allies' look like? Let's dream a little.

Core Gameplay & Identity:

It would be a 6v6 hero shooter, the same satisfying core that makes Rivals tick. However, DC's world offers a distinct flavor. The chaotic magic of characters like John Constantine or Zatanna could introduce environmental manipulation abilities, turning parts of the map into temporary magical hazards—imagine a lane suddenly flooding with mystical symbols that slow and damage enemies, like a trap sprung from the pages of the Book of Destiny. The game shouldn't run from being a counterpart; it should celebrate it. The title 'DC Allies' perfectly captures this spirit of friendly rivalry.

Artistic Direction:

While Marvel Rivals has a bright, almost cel-shaded vibrancy, I envision 'DC Allies' with a style that blends modern comic-book aesthetics with a hint of noir. Think of the shadows in a Gotham alleyway not as mere darkness, but as living inkwells that cling to characters like a second skin, their edges sharp enough to cut through the screen. It would be a world where light and shadow duel as fiercely as the heroes and villains.

Roster & Lore Potential:

This is where the magic happens. A Marvel Rivals clone gives DC the perfect canvas to paint its own original universe, free from the constraints of the DCU or the Snyderverse.

Hero/Villain	Potential Role	Signature Ability Concept
The Flash (Barry Allen)	Damage/Flanker	'Speed Force Vortex': Creates a short-term trail that speeds up allies and slows enemies who cross it.
Wonder Woman	Tank/Brawler	'Lasso of Truth Tether': Latches onto an enemy, briefly revealing them and reducing their damage output.
John Constantine	Support/Controller	'Hellblazer's Gambit': Places a cursed sigil on the ground that, when triggered, swaps the health percentages of the enemy who steps on it and their lowest-health ally nearby.
Beast Boy	Damage/Flanker	'Primal Shift': Cycles through animal forms (Cheetah for speed, Rhino for a charge, Pterodactyl for brief flight) every few seconds.
Raven	Support/Damage	'Empathic Link': Channels a beam to an ally, healing them, or to an enemy, dealing damage and siphoning a portion to heal herself.

Imagine maps like:

• The Warworld Arena: A gladiatorial pit on Mongul's ship, with low gravity zones and deadly environmental hazards that activate periodically.

• The Rock of Eternity: A floating mystical battleground where the very platforms shift and rearrange like the pages of a chaotic spellbook.

• Central City Cortex: A map that plays with perception, where certain routes appear or disappear in a 'speed force time skip,' forcing players to adapt on the fly.

Why This Clone Could Work:

Forget the stigma. In 2026, the player base for polished, team-based hero shooters is proven and hungry. A DC version doesn't need to reinvent the wheel; it needs to make a better Batmobile. The financial logic is as clear as Superman's vision: tap into an existing, successful formula and supercharge it with DC's iconic IP. It's a safer bet than another risky, untested genre experiment, and it directly competes in a space where Marvel currently has no competition from its oldest rival. A well-made 'DC Allies' wouldn't be seen as derivative—it would be seen as DC finally entering the modern era of gaming with confidence.

Of course, there are pitfalls. The live-service model is a demanding god, requiring a constant stream of content, balance, and community engagement. WB Games Montreal's history is... mixed. But therein lies the opportunity. Embracing the 'clone' framework allows them to focus their creative energies where it matters most: character design, map theming, and that unique DC 'feel.' They can build upon a solid foundation rather than laying a new, uncertain one.

As I log off from another session of Marvel Rivals, playing as a character I like but don't love, my mind wanders. I picture hurling Batarangs from a Gotham gargoyle, coordinating a team attack with the Justice League, or pulling off a game-winning play with Zatanna's backwards incantations. The blueprint is there, shining as invitingly as a Green Lantern's construct. The success of Marvel Rivals isn't a barrier for DC; it's an open invitation. All Warner Bros. needs is the courage to walk through the door and say, 'Our turn.' For this player, the wait for a true DC hero shooter has been long enough. It's time for some Allies.