Creating a game around a hugely popular intellectual property is not always a ticket to success (Marvel’s Avengers and Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League, I’m looking at you), but it definitely gives any project a leg up. Marvel Rivals had gamers buzzing well before its release, and early playtests showed it’s hitting all the right notes. Now, just days before its official release, another major milestone has been reached – the game has officially gone gold.
Trying to shake up the scene alongside titles like Deadlock and Overwatch 2, Marvel Rivals could very well become one of 2024’s best multiplayer games. Its summer beta saw an impressive peak of over 50,000 players on Steam, and the full release might see those numbers soar even higher.
This free-to-play hero shooter is currently the sixth most wishlisted game on Steam, coming in behind heavy-hitters like Path of Exile 2, Delta Force, Deadlock, Hollow Knight Silksong, and Monster Hunter Wilds. All signs point to a massive player influx upon release next week. Couple that with the recent confirmation that it’s gone gold and the unveiling of new content and gameplay improvements, and Marvel Rivals is primed to take full advantage of the incoming swarm of players.
Traditionally, the announcement of a game ‘going gold’ held a lot of weight in the gaming industry. Nowadays, it mostly serves as reassurance to players that there won’t be any unexpected last-minute delays and that the game is ready to go.
While the buzz from the beta was substantial, Marvel Rivals has kept the momentum going. Since the beta, Moon Knight and Hawkeye have been added to the roster of free-to-unlock heroes, bringing the total to an impressive 28 characters available at launch. Moreover, the developers have committed to providing full gameplay transparency by showing all hero stats, and later, pick rates and win rates. Additionally, three new maps have been revealed, taking players to the symbiote world of Klyntar, Intergalactic Wakanda, and a sinister Hydra base.
With all these elements combined and the fact that it’s free-to-play, Marvel Rivals is poised to make a significant impact when it hits digital shelves. Look out for its launch on Friday, December 6, on Steam and consoles.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for something to keep you busy, check out our recommendations for exciting free PC games or dive into our list of the best superhero games, perfect for getting you in the Marvel mood.
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