Marvel Rivals Reaches 40 Million Players Amid Ongoing Layoffs

NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals is making waves worldwide, capturing the attention of over 40 million players and standing as one of the most-played games across various platforms. This free-to-play multiplayer sensation is gearing up for a midseason update that introduces the remaining members of the Fantastic Four, The Thing, and Human Torch, enhancing the game’s roster this season.

I recently had the exciting opportunity to dive into a preview build of the upcoming Marvel Rivals update. Getting hands-on with The Thing and Human Torch, I explored how these iconic characters stack up against the diverse roster already thrilling players.

Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch, lights up the battlefield as a Duelist with his fiery attacks. He’s perfect for maintaining distance while peppering enemies, then zipping through to disrupt backlines before retreating to safety. His ability to chain fire blasts is ideal for keeping enemy Strategists at bay and pushing Vanguards to their limits.

On the other hand, Ben Grimm, the formidable Thing, dominates as a frontline Vanguard. He can go toe-to-toe with powerhouses like The Hulk and Venom, thanks to his impactful charge attacks that send enemies airborne, allowing for some thrilling juggle combos with precise timing. Although his movement speed isn’t the best, his relentless presence makes him a formidable wall on the frontlines.

This duo adds an exciting twist to the second half of Marvel Rivals Season 1. I’m eager to see what kind of team strategies players will dream up with the full Fantastic Four, possibly featuring combos with the likes of Spider-Man and Luna Snow, or the sheer might of The Hulk, The Thing, and Thor storming the opposition together.

In other developments, the game now supports NVIDIA DLSS 4 for the latest graphics cards. While this might offer a performance edge to early adopters of high-end GPUs, it marks another feather in Marvel Rivals’ cap.

Yet, this update arrives during a bittersweet moment, as NetEase Games recently laid off its American Marvel Rivals development team for unspecified reasons. According to Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad, geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China might play a role, but the broader picture involves NetEase streamlining its international operations, consolidating teams within China.

Though the decision’s intricacies are complex, its outcome is clear: talented developers who contributed to one of the year’s most successful games are now searching for new opportunities amid widespread industry layoffs.

Playing Marvel Rivals has been a thrilling experience, and as I look forward to the arrival of the Human Torch and The Thing, there’s an unfortunate reminder that success doesn’t always equate to job security. The gaming industry faces a growing challenge of job instability, and addressing it requires a concerted effort from all sides.

Marvel Rivals is available for free on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5. Players can look forward to the Season 1.5 update featuring the Human Torch and The Thing on February 21, 2025.