Marvel Rivals

The story follows a hostile meeting between Doctor Doom and his heroic 2099 counterpart, which causes a "timestream entanglement" that leads to new worlds being created and heroes and villains from across the multiverse fighting one another to defeat both Doom variants before one claims victory over the new worlds.{{Cite web |last=Hashimoto |first=Marika |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Marvel Rivals PVP Shooter Boasts Incredible Lineup of Marvel Characters |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/marvel-rivals-pvp-shooter-boasts-incredible-lineup-of-marvel-characters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329164004/https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/marvel-rivals-pvp-shooter-boasts-incredible-lineup-of-marvel-characters |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Marvel.com}}{{Cite web |last=Chen|first=Guangyun |date=16 November 2024 |title=Marvel Rivals: Dev Vision Vol. 1 {{!}} All 33 Heroes Playable On Dec 6, 2024 |url=https://www.marvelrivals.com/devdiaries/20241116/40954_1194078.html |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=www.marvelrivals.com}}

Marvel Rivals is a 6v6 third-person hero shooter title.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2024-03-27 |title=New hero shooter Marvel Rivals looks like Overwatch with Marvel heroes |url=https://www.polygon.com/24112564/marvel-rivals-hero-shooter-trailer-release-date-netease |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327152855/https://www.polygon.com/24112564/marvel-rivals-hero-shooter-trailer-release-date-netease |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Watts |first1=Steve |title=Marvel Rivals Coming To Consoles, PS5 Beta And Exclusive Spidey Costume Confirmed |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/marvel-rivals-coming-to-consoles-ps5-beta-and-exclusive-spidey-costume-confirmed/1100-6523816/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=May 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531013517/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/marvel-rivals-coming-to-consoles-ps5-beta-and-exclusive-spidey-costume-confirmed/1100-6523816/ |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |date=May 30, 2024 |url-status=live}} The game also features destructible environments, allowing players to alter the battlefield (overseen by Galacta).{{cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Marvel Rivals is a mix of Overwatch and superhero battles |url=https://www.theverge.com/24113437/marvel-rivals-trailer-netease-pc-mcu-disney |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330201529/https://www.theverge.com/24113437/marvel-rivals-trailer-netease-pc-mcu-disney |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |work=The Verge}} {{As of|2025|04}}, there are 13 unique maps in the game.{{Cite web |last=Gilliam |first=Ryan |date=March 7, 2025 |title=All Marvel Rivals maps and modes in season 2.0 |url=https://www.polygon.com/marvel-rivals-guide/491015/maps-modes-list-all-quick-play-competitive |access-date=April 4, 2025 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

The game has five modes:{{cite web |last1=Barovic |first1=Andrej |last2=Robertson |first2=Scott |last3=Challies |first3=Josh |title=All Marvel Rivals modes confirmed so far |url=https://dotesports.com/marvel/news/all-marvel-rivals-modes-confirmed-so-far |website=Dot Esports |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713001047/https://dotesports.com/marvel/news/all-marvel-rivals-modes-confirmed-so-far |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |date=May 12, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Bicker |first=Gordon |date=2025-01-15 |title=Marvel Rivals: Doom Match Mode, Explained |url=https://www.thegamer.com/marvel-rivals-doom-match-mode-explained/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}

• Convoy – Teams are randomly assigned offense or defense. As offense, the objective is to escort a cart or moving object through the map by capturing it, while defender must stop the objective by eliminating the offensive and recapturing it. If the offensive team escorts the convoy to the end of the map within a time limit, they win. When the attackers capture the object, it starts to move forward without the need of the respective team to stand near it, in case of which it travels at a faster speed. After the defender recaptures the vehicle, it starts to move backwards unless any of the attackers stand near its designated area. In competitive mode, once the attacking team has progressed as far as they can, the roles are swapped and the other team tries to better their effort. If both teams clear all checkpoints, the game restarts with the leftover time for both teams being used for another attempt until a victor has been decided.
• Domination – Both teams attack a single point on one of a handful of small maps. Once a point is captured, the defending team will slowly gain points until reaching 100% on which the round ends. The mode will then jump to another small map and repeat the objective. The first team to reach two captured points wins.
• Convergence – Teams will randomly be assigned offense or defense. As offense, the objective is to attack the first checkpoint on the map and secure it by standing inside. As defense, the objective is to defend the checkpoint until the match timer reaches zero. If the offense successfully captures the checkpoint in time, the mode shifts into Convoy style, where the attacking team escorts a cart or moving object through the map in an attempt to reach two further checkpoints. Reaching the final checkpoint is considered victory. Like Convoy, in competitive, both teams attempt to set the best progress and if both reach the final objective, further attempts are made with the remaining time.
• Conquest – Players are divided into two teams. Eliminating any hero will drop points on the ground that the opponent team can pick up. The allies can also pick these up to deny the points from the opposing team. The game ends when one team gets 50 points before the other or when the timer runs out. The team with the most points before it reaches zero is the winner. When the game ends in a tie, the teams are given another chance to score one more point.
• Doom Match – A free-for-all deathmatch. Up to 12 players will spawn across the map with only one goal in mind, to have the most Final Hits before the match ends. The game ends when the first player reaches 16 Final Hits, and the top half of players are declared the match's winners.

Quick match games are non-ranked games where players can play three modes, Domination, Convoy and Convergence. Domination is the only non-competitive mode that features multiple rounds.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

{{As of|2025|05}}, 39 playable characters have been officially announced, with 39 currently playable. Guangyun Chen, the game's creative director, said that they wanted to have a character roster ranging from lesser known characters to fan favourites, saying about the design process that "When it comes to designing characters in our game, we usually dive really deep into the background and personality of each Marvel character, so every character's gameplay mechanic and skill is really crafted to reflect who these heroes really are in the comics."{{cite web |last1=Cawley |first1=Sam |title=Marvel Rivals' game director breaks down success on smash-hit hero-shooter |url=https://www.gamingbible.com/news/platform/marvel-rivals-game-director-smashhit-heroshooter-399671-20241211 |website=GAMINGbible |date=11 December 2024}}

Playable characters are divided into three main roles: Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist. Vanguard heroes function like tanks, possessing large health pools and mitigating abilities to increase their survivability. Duelist heroes play an offensive role, designed to deal maximum damage and secure kills. Strategist heroes can assist and support their teammates by healing, increasing damage, and other utility abilities.{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/all-hero-counters-in-marvel-rivals/ | title = All hero counters in Marvel Rivals | first = Drew | last = Kopp | date = January 8, 2025 | accessdate = January 10, 2025 | work = Destructoid }} Each character has a set of active and passive skills based on their comic book characters, along with a primary attack. Active skills once used typically have a short cooldown timer before they can be used again. Further, each character has a unique ultimate ability, which requires the player to wait for an ultimate charge meter to build up over time or by engaging in combat. Unique to Rivals is the idea of Team-ups, where specific characters if paired with others can provide an additional active or passive ability; for example, if Wolverine and the Hulk are selected on the same team, the Hulk is able to throw Wolverine towards foes as a "Fastball Special".{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/impressions/493325/marvel-rivals-chaotic-overwatch | title = Marvel Rivals is a noisy, unbalanced, and surprisingly fun spin on Overwatch | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | date = December 10, 2024 | accessdate = January 10, 2025 | work = Polygon }} The game does not require players into a "role queue", which otherwise would require a specific blend of heroes on a team; creative director Guangyun Chen said this was "to offer a wider variety of team composition through team-up skills and their own designs", as well as to allow players to use team-up abilities without restrictions.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/marvel-rivals-boss-doubles-down-we-believe-no-role-queue-will-lead-to-a-richer-gaming-experience-for-everyone/ | title=Marvel Rivals boss doubles down: "We believe no role queue will lead to a richer gaming experience for everyone" | date=January 14, 2025 }}

The list of playable characters in the game currently includes:

{{Col-begin|width=75%}}

{{Col-break|width=25%}}

Vanguards

• Captain America
• Doctor Strange
• Emma Frost
• Groot
• Hulk
• Magneto
• Peni Parker
• The Thing
• Thor
• Venom

{{Col-break|width=50%}}

{{Col-begin}}

Duelists

{{Col-break}}

• Black Panther
• Black Widow
• Hawkeye
• Hela
• Human Torch
• Iron Fist
• Iron Man
• Magik
• Mister Fantastic
• Moon Knight

{{Col-break}}

• Namor
• Psylocke
• Scarlet Witch
• Spider-Man
• Squirrel Girl
• Star-Lord
• Storm
• The Punisher
• Winter Soldier
• Wolverine

{{Col-end}}

{{Col-break|width=25%}}

Strategists

• Adam Warlock
• Cloak & Dagger
• Invisible Woman
• Jeff the Land Shark
• Loki
• Luna Snow
• Mantis
• Rocket Raccoon
• Ultron

{{Col-end}}

Many of the characters, in addition to other cosmetic skins, have unlockable or purchasable cosmetics based on alternative takes of these characters from their respective comic book series{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-rivals-the-comic-book-origins-of-the-games-unlockable-skins | title = Marvel Rivals: The Comic Book Origins of the Game's Unlockable Skins | first = Jesse | last = Schedeen | date = December 13, 2024 | accessdate = January 14, 2025 | work = IGN }} or Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-10 |title=Marvel Rivals players blown away by painstakingly faithful MCU skins |url=https://www.dexerto.com/marvel-rivals/marvel-rivals-players-blown-away-by-painstakingly-faithful-mcu-skins-3027835/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Dexerto |language=en}} Spider-Man also has a costume based on his appearance in the video game Spider-Man 2.{{cite web | url = https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/spider-man-2-ps5-skin-now-available-on-marvel-rivals/ | title = Spider-Man 2 PS5 Skin Now Available on Marvel Rivals | first = Oscar | last = Gonzalez | date = January 30, 2025 | accessdate = April 13, 2025 | work = CNET}}

New content will be added to Marvel Rivals through seasonal content updates. Initially, each season was to be about three months long and split into two halves, releasing new content with each half season, including at least one new hero.{{cite news |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-marvel-rivals-characters-will-release-much-more-often-than-you-might-expect/1100-6528797/ |title=New Marvel Rivals Characters Will Release Much More Often Than You Might Expect |first=Darryn |last=Bonthuys |date=14 January 2025 |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=GameSpot}} From season 3 onward, seasons are planned to last two months, but still split into two halves, effectively introducing a new hero on a monthly basis.{{cite web | url = https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/marvel-rivals-season-2-begins-now-with-emma-frost-new-team-ups-and-a-pc-performance-boosting-mode | title = Marvel Rivals Season 2 begins now with Emma Frost, new team-ups and a PC performance boosting mode | first = Edwin | last = Evans-Thirlwell | date = April 11, 2025 | accessdate = April 11, 2025 | work = Rock Paper Shotgun }}

Each season will have a purchasable battle pass which includes cosmetic items (such as character skins, emotes, sprays and player banners) that the player can then buy by using Chrono Tokens, the in-game currency earned from playing matches and completing daily, weekly, and seasonal challenges. Once the player purchases a battle pass for the season, it will not expire, allowing the player to claim the rewards during other seasons. Other cosmetic content are available within the in-game story using Lattice, a premium currency, which can be obtained through Achievement rewards, events, the Battle Pass, or with real-world currency.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/marvel-rivals-players-will-be-able-to-complete-the-luxury-battle-pass-even-after-the-season-ends-which-is-music-to-my-busy-ears/ | title = Marvel Rivals players will be able to complete the luxury battle pass even after the season ends which is music to my busy ears | first = Elie | last = Gould | date = December 5, 2024 | accessdate = January 10, 2025 | work = PC Gamer }}{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/marvel-rivals-season-0-battle-pass-all-skins-emotes-and-other-rewards/2900-6028/ | title = Marvel Rivals Battle Pass Season 0 - All Skins, Emotes, And Other Rewards | first = James | last = Carr | date = December 6, 2024 | accessdate = January 10, 2025 | work = GameSpot }} Further, Marvel Rivals has offered short term events around holiday or seasonal themes, which may include limited-time modes and themed cosmetics for completing challenges. For example, the first Winter Celebration event (December 2024–January 2025) featured a 4v4 game mode similar to Splatoon where all the players play as Jeff the Land Shark to use that character's spit attack to cover the most area on a map.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2024-12-16 |title=Marvel Rivals is going full Splatoon with a game mode that's all Jeffs, all the time |url=https://www.polygon.com/news/497476/marvel-rivals-winter-event-skins-jeff-splatoon |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

Marvel Games partnered with NetEase Games to develop a team-based PvP hero shooter game. NetEase Games is mainly responsible for the design and development of gameplay content, while Marvel Games has a supervisory role ensuring the content conforms to the tone of the Marvel brand and intellectual property.{{cite web |last1=Ye |first1=Kamui |title=专访《漫威争锋》主策划光光：打造爽快的漫威超级英雄对战体验 |url=https://www.ign.com.cn/marvel-rivals/51252/interview/zhuan-fang-man-wei-zheng-feng-zhu-ce-hua-guang-guang-da-zao-shuang-kuai-de-man-wei-chao-ji-ying-xion |website=IGN China |language=zh |date=30 September 2024}} NetEase Games' development team for Marvel Rivals, based in Guangzhou, is led by lead producer Weicong Wu and creative director Guangyun Chen.

The game is built on Unreal Engine 5.{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Thomas |title=Marvel Rivals pushes Unreal Engine 5 hard – and Series S can't quite hack it |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2024-marvel-rivals-beta-ps5-series-x-s-pc-series-s-again-loses-visual-features-to-hit-60fps |website=Eurogamer |language=en |date=31 July 2024}} Marvel Games senior producer Danny Koo characterized Marvel Rivals visually as a blend of Eastern and Western art styles.{{cite web |last1=Hussain |first1=Tamoor |last2=James |first2=Lucy |title=What Goes Into Choosing A Marvel Hero for Marvel Rivals |url=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/what-goes-into-choosing-a-marvel-hero-for-marvel-rivals-gamespot-summer-live/2300-6464348/ |website=GameSpot |date=9 June 2024}}

Each season is preceded by a planning process for that seasons' content. The developers first plan the theme of the season and then consider the kind of new experiences they want to bring to players for that season, which serves as the basis to evaluate what kind of heroes are more suitable. At the same time, they consider what new gameplay may appear and the corresponding new level maps.

While the development team has experimented with additional gameplay modes, there were no current plans to introduce a player versus environment game mode, {{As of|2025|02|lc=y}}.{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-rivals-developer-says-theres-currently-no-plan-for-a-pve-mode | title = Marvel Rivals Developer Says There's Currently No Plan for a PvE Mode | first= Rebekah | last = Valentine | date = February 14, 2025 | accessdate = February 15, 2025 | work = IGN }}

Marvel Games first announced the game through a trailer released on March 27, 2024. On November 30, 2024, less than a week before the game's release, the launch trailer for the game was released, showcasing 5 new playable heroes that would be added upon launch.{{cite news |last1=Giambra-Plaisance |first1=Samantha |title=Marvel Rivals New Launch Trailer Showcases Five New Heroes, Rapidly Building The Titles Hype |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-rivals-launch-trailer-five-new-heroes/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |work=Screen Rant |date=30 November 2024}}

Marvel Rivals had a closed alpha test accessible to the public lasting ten days, from May 10–20, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/marvel-rivals-video-game-free-to-play-trailer-1235952316/|title='Marvel Rivals' Free-to-Play Game Featuring Rocket Raccoon, Spider-Man, Magneto, Magik and 12 More Characters to Launch in May|first=Jennifer|last=Maas|work=Variety|date=March 27, 2024|access-date=March 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327155844/https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/marvel-rivals-video-game-free-to-play-trailer-1235952316/|archive-date=March 27, 2024|url-status=live}} Players could earn permanent rewards transferrable to the game's final release through gameplay. Included rewards were an exclusive alpha tester title and a playable skin for the character Scarlet Witch, both earned through the test's dedicated battle pass. Additional permanent rewards were the "Dawn of Legends" title, gained from placing Top 32 in the game's eponymous alpha tournament, and an in-game spray decoration, gained by playing with/against a game developer during the playtest.{{Cite web |last=Cornelia |first=Michelle |date=2024-05-15 |title=Marvel Rivals Closed Alpha: All permanent rewards & how to get them|url=https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/marvel-rivals-closed-alpha-all-permanent-rewards-how-to-get-them-2716600// |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}

NetEase received backlash during the alpha playtest when streamer Brandon Larned called out the company on social media for including a non-disparagement clause in the contract given to content creators who had access to the alpha test, barring reviews from saying anything negative about the game. Following the controversy, NetEase apologized and stated it would be revising its contract to be more creator-friendly.{{Cite web |last=McMahon |first=Liv |date=13 May 2024 |title=Marvel Rivals developer apologises after banning negative reviews |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd1wwlvd9yko |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Gould-Wilson |first=Jasmine |date=2024-05-13 |title=Marvel's answer to Overwatch issues apology for leaked contract that would have banned streamers from saying anything bad about the game |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/marvels-answer-to-overwatch-issues-apology-for-leaked-contract-that-would-have-banned-streamers-from-saying-anything-bad-about-the-game/ |access-date=2024-05-17 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=2024-05-13 |title=Marvel Rivals Team Apologizes For Trying To Prevent Negative Reviews |url=https://www.thegamer.com/marvel-rivals-apologises-content-creator-program-controversy-negative-reviews-contract/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}

A closed beta test for Marvel Rivals took place from July 23 to August 5, 2024, for both consoles and PC.{{cite web |last1=Deschamps |first1=Marc |title=Marvel Rivals Announces Console Beta Dates and Details |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/marvel-rivals-console-beta-dates-details-ps5-xbox/ |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703222832/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/marvel-rivals-console-beta-dates-details-ps5-xbox/ |archive-date=July 3, 2024 |date=June 26, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Closed Beta Test Date Announcement & Console Sign-up Is Starting |url=https://www.marvelrivals.com/news/official/20240625/40185_1163105.html |website=Marvel Rivals |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711150924/https://www.marvelrivals.com/news/official/20240625/40185_1163105.html |archive-date=July 11, 2024 |date=June 26, 2024 |url-status=live}}

Marvel Rivals is free-to-play from its initial release. Though the game was set to release for Windows via Steam and Epic Games, NetEase Games had stated that it is exploring potential releases on other platforms.{{Cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Fraser |date=2024-03-27 |title='Marvel Rivals' Dev Hints At Possible Xbox Version Following PC Launch |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2024/03/marvel-rivals-dev-hints-at-possible-xbox-version-following-pc-launch |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329164002/https://www.purexbox.com/news/2024/03/marvel-rivals-dev-hints-at-possible-xbox-version-following-pc-launch |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Anhalt |first=Bobby |date=2024-03-27 |title=Marvel Rivals Console Version Possible |url=https://gamerant.com/marvel-rivals-console-release/ |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=Game Rant |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516224737/https://gamerant.com/marvel-rivals-console-release/ |archive-date=May 16, 2024 |url-status=live}} During Sony's State of Play held in May, the game was revealed to also be released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, as well as its upcoming beta playtest.{{cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Kat |title=Marvel Rivals Is Coming to PS5 and Xbox – State of Play 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-rivals-is-coming-to-ps5-state-of-play-2024 |website=IGN |access-date=May 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530233527/https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-rivals-is-coming-to-ps5-state-of-play-2024 |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |date=May 30, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Myers |first=Maddy |date=2024-05-30 |title=Marvel Rivals is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X |url=https://www.polygon.com/24168146/marvel-rivals-playstation-5-xbox-series-x-state-of-play-release-date |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} On November 16, 2024, it was confirmed that Marvel Rivals features an option to select between English, Japanese or Mandarin voice overs at a launch date.{{Cite web |last=SacrilegeGG |first=SacrilegeGG |date=2024-11-16 |title=Marvel Rivals launch roadmap — Full Details|url=https://rivals.fan/news/marvel-rivals-roadmap |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Rivals.Fan |language=en-US}}

Marvel Rivals was released on December 6, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Simon |date=2024-12-09 |title=Marvel Rivals Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-rivals-review |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Cichacki |first=Shaun |date=2024-12-06 |title='Marvel Rivals' Could Be the Competition 'Overwatch' Needs (Hands-On Impressions) |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/marvel-rivals-could-be-the-competition-overwatch-needs-hands-on-impressions/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=VICE |language=en-US}} Thaddeus Sasser, a director of NetEase Games' Seattle-based design team, stated there is a switching cost in which players who are invested in one game are less willing to move to other games; he contrasted the success of the Marvel Rivals release with the commercial failure of hero shooter Concord released the same year, attributing the latter's underperformance to it not providing unique value to overcome this consideration.{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=Victoria |title=Marvel Rivals director says Sony flop Concord didn't offer any "unique value" for players |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/marvel-rivals-director-says-sony-flop-concord-didnt-offer-any-unique-value-for-players |website=Eurogamer |access-date=15 December 2024 |date=December 11, 2024 }}{{cite web |last1=Serin |first1=Kaan |title=Marvel Rivals director reckons Concord flopped because it wasn't original enough: "I don't think anybody can accurately predict this" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/marvel-rivals-director-reckons-concord-flopped-because-it-wasnt-original-enough-i-dont-think-anybody-can-accurately-predict-this/ |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=15 December 2024 |date=December 11, 2024 }}{{cite web |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=Marvel Rivals director says Concord 'didn't bring any unique value' that would convince players to give it a shot, but admits that no one can really predict what will or won't succeed |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/marvel-rivals-director-says-concord-didnt-bring-any-unique-value-that-would-convince-players-to-give-it-a-shot-but-admits-that-no-one-can-really-predict-what-will-or-wont-succeed/ |website=PC Gamer |language=en |date=11 December 2024}}

In February 2025, NetEase laid off their Seattle-based design team including director Sasser.{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2025-02-19 |title=Marvel Rivals Director and Entire Seattle Design Team Laid Off, NetEase Tells Fans Not to Worry About the Game |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-rivals-director-and-entire-seattle-design-team-laid-off-netease-tells-fans-not-to-worry-about-the-game |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2025-02-18 |title=NetEase confirms Marvel Rivals layoffs, says cuts were made 'to optimize development efficiency for the game' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/just-couldnt-dodge-that-big-boot-i-guess-no-matter-how-big-the-success-of-the-gig-marvel-rivals-developers-in-the-us-say-netease-just-laid-off-their-whole-team/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Imran |date=2025-02-18 |title=North American Marvel Rivals team laid off by NetEase |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/north-american-marvel-rivals-team-laid-off-by-netease/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} This team reportedly comprised six people.{{cite web |last1=Yang |first1=George |date=19 February 2025 |title=Marvel Rivals Devs Laid Off Despite The Game's Huge Success |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/marvel-rivals-devs-laid-off-despite-the-games-huge-success/1100-6529559/ |website=GameSpot}} Kotaku reported that "the size and location of the teams that worked on the hero shooter have been hard to pin down, and it's not immediately clear what the extent of the teams impacted were or why".{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title=Marvel Rivals Game Director And Others Laid Off Just Months After The Hero Shooter Took Over The Charts [Update] |url=https://kotaku.com/marvel-rivals-netease-game-director-layoffs-season-2-1851765290 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} NetEase said in a response to the closure that they "recently made the difficult decision to adjust Marvel Rivals' development team structure for organizational reasons and to optimize development efficiency for the game" with work still ongoing by their Guangzhou-based core development team.{{cite web |last1=Colp |first1=Tyler |title='This is such a weird industry': Marvel Rivals lays off NA-based team amid explosive success |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/525114/marvel-rivals-layoffs-director-netease-games |website=Polygon |date=18 February 2025}}

Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic (2024) is a six-issue digital limited series by writer Paul Allor and artist Luca Claretti; it was published by Marvel Comics as part of their Infinity Comics program on Marvel Unlimited.{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |author-link=Rich Johnston |date=December 16, 2024 |title=Paul Allor & Luca Claretti Launch a New Marvel Rivals Comic Book |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/paul-allor-luca-claretti-launch-a-new-marvel-rivals-comic-book/ |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Brooke |first=David |date=December 16, 2024 |title=Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic series launches today |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2024/12/16/marvel-rivals-infinity-comic-series/ |access-date=December 16, 2024 |website=AIPT |language=en-us}} A new game mode inspired by Marvel Rivals was also added to the tabletop Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game. Additionally, a Marvel Rivals themed glider for use in Fortnite Battle Royale was made available via playing challenges in Marvel Rivals and linking an Epic Games account to receive it. Furthermore a skin based on Doctor Doom 2099 was made available for use in Fortnite, with a LEGO style for use in LEGO Fortnite experiences.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

NetEase announced the inaugural edition of the "Marvel Rivals Championship" (MRC), an esports tournament which set to take place from March 8 through April 6, 2025.{{cite web|last=Down|first=Aaron|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/marvel-rivals/events|title=Marvel Rivals events - all current and upcoming events|work=PCGamesN|date=2025|accessdate=March 6, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.marvelrivals.com/match/20250123/41547_1209115.html|title=Marvel Rivals Championship Season 1: Eternal Night Falls|website=marvelrivals.com|publisher=Marvel Games|date=January 23, 2025|accessdate=March 6, 2025}} The MRC will have a prize pool of USD$14,500.{{cite web|last=Xu|first=Davide|url=https://esportsinsider.com/2025/03/netease-confirms-marvel-rivals-esports-plans|title=NetEase confirms Marvel Rivals esports plans|work=Esports Insider|date=March 4, 2025|accessdate=March 6, 2025}} During an earnings call held by NetEase in February 2025, the developer confirmed its plans to further develop an esports scene around the game.

{{Expand section|date=January 2025}}{{Video game reviews

| MC = {{abbr|PC|Windows}}: 74/100{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/marvel-rivals/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Marvel Rivals (PC Critic Reviews) |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 9, 2024}}
{{abbr|PS5|PlayStation 5}}: 77/100{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/marvel-rivals/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Marvel Rivals (PS5 Critic Reviews) |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 9, 2024}}
{{abbr|XSX|Xbox Series X/S}}: 75/100{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/marvel-rivals/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=Marvel Rivals (XSX Critic Reviews) |website=Metacritic |access-date=April 21, 2025}}

| OC = {{abbr|Top Critic Average}}: 78/100

{{abbr|Critics Recommend}}: 83%{{Cite web |url=https://opencritic.com/game/17210/marvel-rivals/|title=Marvel Rivals Reviews|website=OpenCritic |date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2025}}

| GRadar = 2.5/5{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/third-person-shooter/marvel-rivals-review/ |title=Marvel Rivals review: "So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths" |last=Broadwell |first=Josh |date=December 6, 2024 |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=December 9, 2024}}

| IGN = 8/10{{Cite web| url=https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-rivals-review|title=Marvel Rivals review | author =Simon Cardy| date =December 10, 2024|access-date = December 11, 2024|website=IGN}}

| TR = 4/5{{cite web |last1=Green |first1=Jake |title=Marvel Rivals review: more than an Overwatch clone |url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/marvel-rivals-review |website=TechRadar |date=December 24, 2024 |access-date=10 January 2025}}

| PCGUS = 73/100{{cite web |last1=Gould |first1=Elie |title=Marvel Rivals review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/marvel-rivals-review/ |website=PC Gamer |date=December 16, 2024 |access-date=10 January 2025}}

| DT = 4/5{{cite web |last1=Franzese |first1=Tomas |title=Marvel Rivals review: So what if it's an Overwatch clone? It's still a blast |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/marvel-rivals-review-xbox-series-x/ |website=Digital Trends |date=December 16, 2024 |access-date=10 January 2025}}

| GI = 8.5/10{{Cite magazine |last=Harte |first=Charles |date=2024-12-05 |title=Marvel Rivals Review - A Super Shooter |url=https://gameinformer.com/review/marvel-rivals/a-super-shooter |access-date=2025-04-01 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}

| GSpot = 8/10{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/marvel-rivals-review-i-can-do-this-all-day/1900-6418329/ |title=Marvel Rivals Review - "I Can Do This All Day" |last=Carr |first=James |date=January 14, 2025 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 21, 2025}}

| Edge = 5/10{{cite magazine|magazine= Edge|title=Marvel Rivals|date=December 2024|issue=406|page=110}}

}}

Marvel Rivals received "mixed or average" reviews for the PC version and "generally favorable" reviews for the PlayStation 5 version, according to the review aggregator website Metacritic.

Marvel Rivals has been praised for its monetization model, which does not involve pay-to-win elements (all gameplay elements such as heroes are free) and time limits on purchased battle passes.{{cite web |last1=Jenkins |first1=Dwayne |title='Marvel Rivals' Unveils Its Monetization Structure, Which Is… Reasonable? |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/marvel-rivals-unveils-its-monetization-structure-which-is-reasonable/ |website=VICE |date=5 December 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Hore |first1=Jamie |title=Free hero shooter Marvel Rivals says no to battle pass FOMO and pay-to win |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/marvel-rivals/monetization |website=PCGamesN |date=4 December 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Swan |first1=Cameron |title=Marvel Rivals' Monetization is Stealing Helldivers 2's Best Trick |url=https://gamerant.com/marvel-rivals-monetization-helldivers-2-battle-pass-permanent/ |website=Game Rant |date=6 December 2024}}

Game Rant mentions the introduction of a "vote to surrender" feature in Rivals sparked debate within the player community. This feature allows teams to end matches early if a majority agrees. Supporters argued it helps avoid frustrating, unwinnable situations, particularly during connectivity issues or unbalanced matches. Critics, however, feared it might foster a defeatist attitude and disrupt team dynamics, potentially leading to increased negativity and premature match endings.{{Cite web |last=Dammann |first=Luke |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Marvel Rivals Feature Divides the Community |url=https://gamerant.com/marvel-rivals-vote-to-surrender/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}

Marvel Rivals reached 10 million players worldwide within 72 hours.{{cite web |last1=Kuhnke |first1=Oisin |date=9 December 2024 |title=Cor, video games did some big numbers over the weekend, with Marvel Rivals reaching 10 million players, and Steam breaking its own concurrent user count for the umpteenth time |url=https://www.vg247.com/marvel-rivals-hits-10-million-players-as-steam-breaking-its-own-concurrent-user-count |website=VG247}}{{cite web |last1=Yin-Poole |first1=Wesley |date=9 December 2024 |title=Marvel Rivals Is a Smash Hit With 10 Million Players in Just 3 Days |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/marvel-rivals-is-a-smash-hit-with-10-million-players-in-just-3-days |website=IGN}} Furthermore, it peaked at 480,990 concurrent players on Steam on December 8, 2024.{{cite magazine |last1=Michael |first1=Cale |date=9 December 2024 |title=What is Marvel Rival's Player Count? |url=https://www.si.com/esports/news/what-is-marvel-rival-s-player-count |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} It surpassed 20 million players as announced on December 17.{{cite magazine |last1=Michael |first1=Cale |date=17 December 2024 |title=Marvel Rivals Hits 20 Million Players — Get a Free Spray to Celebrate |url=https://www.si.com/esports/news/marvel-rivals-hits-20-million-players |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} Throughout its first month, the game maintained most of its in-game player count.{{cite web |last1=Fisher |first1=Carver |date=11 January 2025 |title=Marvel Rivals smashes all-time player count record as Season 1 hype explodes |url=https://www.dexerto.com/marvel-rivals/marvel-rivals-smashes-all-time-player-count-record-as-season-1-hype-explodes-3027931/ |website=Dexerto}}{{cite web |last1=Bevan |first1=Rhiannon |date=6 January 2025 |title=Marvel Rivals Is Still Going Strong, Keeps 90 Percent Of Its Player Base Since Launch |url=https://www.thegamer.com/marvel-rivals-player-base-figures-steam-no-drop-off-from-launch/ |website=TheGamer}}{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Will |date=11 January 2025 |title=Marvel Rivals just got even bigger on Steam, and it's not slowing down |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/marvel-rivals/season-1-steam-players |website=PCGamesN}} GameLook, a Chinese games industry research website, estimated a revenue of about $135 million across all platforms in this period.{{cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=《漫威争锋》首月或大赚10亿！老外震惊：中国人做的欧美英雄更酷？ |url=http://www.gamelook.com.cn/2025/01/562110 |website=GameLook |language=zh}} Cited in {{cite web |last1=Adam |first1=Khayl |date=10 January 2025 |title=Marvel Rivals' First-Month Revenue Shows Sony Should Continue to Pursue Live Service on PS5, PC |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/01/marvel-rivals-first-month-revenue-shows-sony-should-continue-to-pursue-live-service-on-ps5-pc |website=Push Square}} & {{cite web |last1=Docal |first1=Óscar Ontañón |date=12 January 2025 |title=Marvel Rivals breaks revenue records with over $135 million in first-month earnings |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/marvel-rivals-breaks-revenue-records-with-over-135-million-in-first-month-earnings-1480603/ |website=Gamereactor}} The game was the 6th in the top 20 games by revenue in the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy for December 2024.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Sophie McEvoy Staff |date=2025-01-22 |title=Fortnite reclaims top spot on revenue and engagement charts for December 2024 {{!}} Newzoo Charts |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/fortnite-reclaims-top-spot-on-revenue-and-engagement-charts-for-december-2024-newzoo-charts |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}

Microsoft revealed Marvel Rivals was one of the games on Xbox with the highest single-day active users in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Lingen |first=Daniel |date=2025-01-24 |title=Introducing the Xbox Excellence Awards, Honoring the Studios Behind the Games You Loved Most in 2024 |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/01/24/xbox-excellence-awards/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Richard |date=2025-01-24 |title=Microsoft announces the Xbox Excellence Awards, created to honor the studios behind the most loved games of 2024 — GAMINGTREND |url=https://gamingtrend.com/news/microsoft-announces-the-xbox-excellence-awards-created-to-honor-the-studios-behind-the-most-loved-games-of-2024/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=gamingtrend.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Fraser |date=2025-01-24 |title=Xbox Unveils The 'Excellence Awards' And Reveals All The 2024 Winners |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2025/01/xbox-unveils-the-excellence-awards-and-reveals-all-the-2024-winners |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB}} When Marvel Rivals season 1 started, the game reached 644,269 concurrent players on Steam.{{cite web |last1=Blake |first1=Vikki |title=Marvel Rivals already has a higher Steam concurrent player count than GTA 5 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/marvel-rivals-already-has-a-higher-steam-concurrent-player-count-than-gta-5 |website=Eurogamer |date=11 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Randall |first1=Harvey |title=Marvel Rivals starts 2025 by clobberin' the most played charts, hitting over 640,000 players on Steam alone |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/marvel-rivals-starts-2025-by-clobberin-the-most-played-charts-hitting-over-640-000-players-on-steam-alone/ |website=PC Gamer |date=13 January 2025}} This made it the 14th highest game of all time by this metric. The game was 5th in the top 20 games by revenue in the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy for January 2025.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Sophie McEvoy Staff |date=2025-02-21 |title=Marvel Rivals maintains top spot on PC engagement charts for January 2025 {{!}} Newzoo Charts |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/marvel-rivals-maintains-top-spot-on-pc-engagement-charts-for-january-2025-newzoo-charts |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} NetEase reported the game had over 40 million players to date by February 2025.{{cite web |last1=Blake |first1=Vikki |title=NetEase financials reveal Marvel Rivals topped 40m players before layoffs |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/netease-financials-reveal-marvel-rivals-topped-40m-players-before-layoffs |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=20 February 2025}}{{cite web |author1=心态良好的胖子 |title=热度不减！网易财报披露《漫威争锋》玩家突破4000万 |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/202502/1887484.shtml |website=GamerSky |language=zh |date=20 February 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Makar |first1=Connor |title=Marvel Rivals has blown past 40 million players already, more than the population of Poland |url=https://www.vg247.com/marvel-rivals-40-million-players-population-of-poland |website=VG247 |date=20 February 2025}}

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Marvel Rivals for "Online Game of the Year" at the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.For the nominations, see {{cite web |title=Congratulations to the 28th Annual #DICEAwards Finalists |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/84Kd_28th_annual_dice_awards_finalists_revealed_8ufL.asp |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210181423/https://www.interactive.org/awards/84Kd_28th_annual_dice_awards_finalists_revealed_8ufL.asp |archive-date=10 February 2025}} For the results, see {{cite web |title=ACADEMY OF INTERACTIVE ARTS AND SCIENCES ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2024's BEST VIDEO GAMES AT 28th ANNUAL D.I.C.E. AWARDS |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/i92j428th_annual_dice_awards_results_93io35.asp |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215021453/https://www.interactive.org/awards/i92j428th_annual_dice_awards_results_93io35.asp |archive-date=15 February 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Bankhurst |first1=Adam |title=DICE Awards 2025 Winners: The Full List |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/dice-awards-2025-winners-the-full-list |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214065016/https://www.ign.com/articles/dice-awards-2025-winners-the-full-list |archive-date=14 February 2025 |date=14 February 2025}}

After release, discussion proceeded on in-game censorship of controversial terms. Specifically, censorship of "Winnie the Pooh" caused speculation that the China-based developer NetEase blocked the phrase due to censorship of Winnie-the-Pooh in China. Other phrases restricted in China that are banned in-game include: "1989", "Tiananmen Square", and "Free Taiwan".{{cite news |last1=Sellman |first1=Mark |title=Marvel game 'bans' the words 'free Taiwan' and 'Winnie-the-Pooh' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/technology-uk/article/marvel-rivals-video-game-blocks-words-taiwan-winnie-the-pooh-0hj3ltkgg#:~:text=Other%20restricted%20phrases%20include%20%E2%80%9Cfree,Dalai%20Lama%20is%20also%20banned. |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=The Times |date=5 January 2025}} The censorship extends beyond content specific to China, also restricting words such as "ISIS" and "Hitler". Attempting to use these banned messages in the in-game chat will result in a message stating, "Text contains inappropriate content."{{Cite web |last=Dammann |first=Luke |date=2025-01-02 | title=Marvel Rivals Won't Let You Say Winnie the Pooh | url=https://gamerant.com/marvel-rivals-banned-words-winnie-the-pooh/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.marvel.com/games/marvel-rivals Marvel Rivals] at Marvel

{{Marvel Games}}

{{Marvel Video Game Crossovers}}

Category:2024 video games

Category:Free-to-play video games

Category:Hero shooters

Category:Multiplayer video games

Category:NetEase games

Category:Esports games

Category:PlayStation 5 games

Category:PlayStation 5 Pro enhanced games

Category:Superhero crossover video games

Category:Third-person shooters

Category:Unreal Engine 5 games

Category:Video games about parallel universes

Category:Video games adapted into comics

Category:Video games based on Marvel Comics

Category:Video games developed in China

Category:Video games developed in the United States

Category:Video games set in Antarctica

Category:Video games set in New York City

Category:Video games set in Tokyo

Category:Video games set in fictional countries

Category:Video games set on fictional planets

Category:Video games with cross-platform play

Category:Windows games

Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games