Marvel Rivals, the latest free-to-play superhero team-based PvP shooter from NetEase, has achieved a remarkable milestone. Within three days of its global launch on December 6, the game amassed 10 million players across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.
Marvel Rivals: A Blockbuster Launch
The game’s popularity is most visible on Steam, where it peaked at an impressive 480,990 concurrent players during its launch weekend. This milestone secured Marvel Rivals a spot in Steam’s top five most-played games and the 20th highest concurrent player count in Steam history, surpassing titles like Destiny 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5.
Positive Reception and Monetization
On Steam, 76% of the 35,000 user reviews are positive, earning the game a ‘mostly positive’ rating. Marvel Rivals also ranked as the second top-selling game on Steam by revenue, following Path of Exile 2. To sustain its player base and revenue, NetEase offers a battle pass and premium skins, which appear to be resonating well with players.
Season 0: Dooms’ Rise
Marvel Rivals launched with Season 0: Dooms’ Rise, featuring:
- 33 playable heroes available for free.
- 8 maps for Quick Match and Competitive modes, plus a Conquest map and a Practice Range.
- A storyline exploring the chaos of “Timestream Entanglement” caused by Doctor Doom’s experiments.
Season 0 also includes a Twitch Drops event, an ‘Entangled Moments’ seasonal challenge with exclusive rewards, and a global launch gift: a free Iron Man costume.
Future Challenges
NetEase faces the challenge of maintaining high player engagement and generating consistent revenue — a common hurdle for live-service games. However, the game’s strong debut positions it as a major contender in the genre.
For more information, visit the game’s official website.
