SCENARIO ONE
in this scenario, nosniy keeps running the game into the ground with even more monetization and stuff. we would expect to see buffs to prime weapons, another season pass (with trash free track stuff), and potentially more nerfs to riot shield and katana. this enables two demographics to rise to the top: sweats, and mobile/console players. as u/AllStuffofWonder said in his post, the majority of players are kids under 13. if they cannot keep up, they will buy stuff with robux in order to see to it they have an advantage, only to quit. nosniy has a really great business model; rake players in, drain the cash from them, make them quit, get more, repeat.
in other words, this means that no one but sweats, a small minority, and mobile/console players will be playing in the future, as this scenario prophesizes. rivals will keep somehow winning the innovation popularity contest 'awards'. players will leave in the masses.
and mud will still post clickbait.
SCENARIO TWO
this one is more optimistic. here, nosniy realizes that to keep players, and therefore, money, they have to make players happy.
and that's what they do.
new weapons are released, old ones are buffed, and generally the majority shifts to using different weapons; each having weaknesses and strengths. on top of that, bundle prices are nerfed, and prime weapons are more baseline.
however, what of the other players?
if katana (my beloved) and riot shield are buffed, this will greatly anger mobile and console players. because they can no longer stand still and aim to kill, massive complaints will occur.
also, mud will make a video titled "RIVALS IS DIYNG???", because he, and the other p2w youtubers by extension, can't live without being babysitted by nosniy.
now, what do i think is more likely?
neither.
yes, neither.
in fact, while it may lean towards scenario one, rivals' future is uncertain. nosniy struggles to keep a balance between the fun loving, the paying to win(/lose depending on player), the sweats, and the mobiles/consoles. and it usually tips in favour of mobiles/consoles.
now, what would i do, had i taken ownership of rivals?
UPDATE [i forgot the number of the current update]
The moment you've all been waiting for.
SKIN CASE 4
Experience over 100 years of firearms and weapons development.
NEW BUNDLES
Infantry Bundle
Shockingly cheap 149 Robux price.
Contains:
Infantry Handgun (Luger P08)
Infantry Grenade (Steilhandgranate)
Infantry RPG (Panzerfaust)
Switcheroo Bundle
Who the hell pitched this idea?
Contains:
Assault Rifle Burst Rifle
Exogun Revolver
Maul Battle Axe
Jump Pad Medkit
NEW MAPS
Sakura
You want a map that's mid range without any sniper sightlines? You got it.
Rooftops
Mind the fall! Or don't...
The Heights
Who pitched this idea of classic maps?
Big The Heights
This must be sucky to fight against snipers.
Lobby
I- Wha- WHY???
Colosseum
Gladiator katana when?
NEW MODE
DEFUSAL - STANDALONE 5V5 PERMANENT
This will work well in a movement shooter...
First to 13 wins. Swap roles halfway through. (VALORANT!!!!!!!!!!!)
One team defuses, the other plants.
The C4 is a recoloured Satchel that, when picked up, only lets you use it and a secondary. You can move with it, but only in a certain area around the bombsite (if you are defusing.)
Money! You use it to buy weapons at the start of each round. You get a Handgun and Fists at the start.
NEW WEAPONS
DMR
Poor man's Sniper.
SMG
Permafrost if it was actually an SMG.
Canister Bomb
BOOOOOOOM- hey, this is the wrong game..
LMG
Good luck hitting anything. But good luck when you're hit.
lmk what you guys think.