Marvel Rivals is seeing its player base rise after the recent Halloween update, which added a much-requested PvE-specific game mode. After the release of Season 4 and the additions of Dardevil and Angela, Marvel Rivals is leaning toward one of its most popular limited-time events in a long time.
After a massive launch window in late 2024, Marvel Rivals saw its Steam player base drop by 86% in August, an alarming statistic for a live service game. The struggle seems to have been the result of a mixture of issues, such as performance and balancing issues, while some players have been less than enthusiastic about some changes that developer NetEase has made to the matchmaking system. But even with these challenges, it seems Marvel Rivals has found a potential formula to win back many disillusioned players.
Marvel Rivals sees player count nearly double on Steam
As part of the Halloween update, Marvel Rivals added its first PvE-specific game mode. Zombies co-op mode lets 4 players go up against waves of zombie enemies and boss battles against an UNDEAD Namor and the Queen of the Dead. What adds some intrigue to this game mode is that players can build their character through upgrades and changing abilities. It seems this new mode has really resonated with fans as the game quickly grew to over 120,000 players, with many on social media also praising the mode's addition.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Zombies will be a permanent addition as many want, with a current end date of November 13th. For now, though, while fans can have some fun with friends in the Zombies mode, the Halloween update for Marvel Rivals gives players a free skin. By completing missions, players can participate in the Voyage to Astonish event and earn free rewards by moving around the game board, including unlocking the Blade Knight costume for free.
Leaning towards keeping its players happy seems to be a priority for NetEase, as the studio is also working on another highly anticipated feature. Marvel Rivals now has cross progression, but in very limited form at the moment. Although it launched on October 23rd, cross-progression is only available in Early Access to approved players who applied to join. If all goes smoothly, the plan seems to release it to all players with Season 5 in November.
- Released
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December 6, 2024
- ESRB
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T for Teens // Violence
- Developer
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NetEase Games
- Publisher
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NetEase Games
Source: SteamDB
