Marvel Rivals has made quite the splash on Steam, boasting an impressive 444,286 concurrent players within just 24 hours of its release. NetEase Games, the developer behind this upcoming title, appears to be pulling out all the stops to attract a wide audience, with the game offering full crossplay between PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, though it’s worth noting the absence of cross-progression.
This third-person hero shooter pits two teams of six against each other, featuring a dynamic roster of 33 characters including both heroic and villainous favorites like Wolverine, Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, Magneto, Loki, and Iron Man. Teasers have suggested that Knull might join the lineup as well. Impressively, NetEase has announced that all current and future characters will be available for free to all players, a bold move that’s sure to win them brownie points from the community.
According to SteamDB, Marvel Rivals is charting an impressive path with over 444,000 concurrent players on its debut day alone. The game’s “mostly positive” rating, backed by approximately 7,870 user reviews as we write this, speaks volumes about its reception. Players are delighted with the game’s stability, a rare achievement for new launches, leading to a smooth, hitch-free rollout. While we gather data on Steam play numbers, it’s intriguing to consider how many more are diving into the action through PlayStation and Xbox. A noteworthy point is the publisher’s approach with battle passes—these don’t come with a ticking clock, giving players the freedom to engage at their own pace.
NetEase has partnered their promotional efforts with generous offerings such as a free skin for all players, special skins for those on PS5, Twitch drop events, and even a crossover with Fortnite. Marvel Rivals, setting its sights on an audience keen for something competitive and refreshing, is off to a vibrant start. It’s being touted as a serious contender in the scene, potentially rivaling Overwatch 2’s popularity.
The dazzling debut of Marvel Rivals has reinvigorated fans of the hero shooter genre, who previously saw Sony’s attempt with Concord crumble within two weeks of launch earlier this year. The director of Marvel Rivals, Guangyun Chen, has confidently remarked that their focus on unique gameplay and capitalizing on the essence of superhero fun sets them apart, steering the game clear of Concord’s pitfalls. With players swiftly falling for this newcomer, the future is shining bright for Marvel Rivals and its creators.
