Marvel Rivals' Season 1 Launch Shatters Steam Player Records
Marvel Rivals has achieved a phenomenal milestone with the launch of Season 1: Eternal Night Falls, surpassing 560,000 concurrent players on Steam, setting a new all-time high. This surge in popularity is fueled by the introduction of exciting new content.
The new season introduces the Fantastic Four as playable heroes, pitting them against Dracula and his forces after he imprisons Doctor Strange and seizes control of New York City. Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman are immediately available, with Human Torch and The Thing slated for a major mid-season update.
Adding to the excitement are new maps, including the Sanctum Sanctorum and Midtown. Midtown features in convoy missions, while the Sanctum Sanctorum serves as the backdrop for the thrilling new Doom Match mode.
NetEase Games' strategic approach to player acquisition is evident. The developer is actively engaging players with free in-game rewards, including free skins for Thor (via the Midnight Features event) and Hela (through Twitch Drops). The Season 1 Darkhold battle pass also offers free skins for Peni Parker and Scarlet Witch, even without purchasing the premium version. This generous approach to free content is a major draw for both new and returning players.
This success extends beyond Steam. Since its December 6, 2024 launch, Marvel Rivals has amassed over 20 million players across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S platforms. The Season 1 launch further solidifies its position as a leading hero shooter, and with ongoing content updates and free rewards, its player base is expected to continue growing. A Steam gift card contest further incentivizes player engagement, encouraging players to share exciting gameplay moments on the game's Discord server.
