Marvel Rivals arrives on STEAM: A 6v6 superhero shooter

STEAM has announced Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play 6v6 game shooter set across the Marvel Multiverse. The game invites players to step into the shoes of their favourite superheroes and villains. Expect dynamic multiplayer battles across iconic locations from Marvel movies. It’s being described by many as “Overwatch, but third-person.”

The game lets players explore the backstories and abilities of characters like Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Thanos. Marvel Rivals also introduces a new storyline. This involves a clash between Doctor Doom and his future counterpart from the year 2099. This storyline brings together various versions of characters from across the Marvel Multiverse. 

Watch the trailer

Gameplay and features

Players can look forward to engaging in battles across destructible maps inspired by the Marvel Multiverse. At launch, the game will feature 18 playable characters. There will be a mix of well-known heroes and villains. Each character comes with a unique set of abilities, opening up diverse play styles and strategies​.

Marvel Rivals champions strategic thinking and teamwork. The 6v6 mode encourages players to collaborate, picking tactics that play to each character’s strengths. The game features a variety of competitive modes and environments. That means there are lots of different ways to win.

A standout feature of Marvel Rivals is the “Team-Up Skills” mechanic. This allows characters to combine their powers for devastating effects. Imagine Rocket Raccoon riding on Groot’s back, unleashing a barrage of gunfire. Or imagine the Hulk charging Iron Man’s suit with Gamma energy for a powerful attack. This mechanic adds depth and cooperation to the gameplay. It encourages players to experiment with different character combinations​. One fan on Reddit has already suggested some Team-Up Skills they’d love to see in the game. 

Marvel Rivals release date 

Currently in development, Marvel Rivals is scheduled for a Closed Alpha testing period in May 2024. At the time of writing, we’re still waiting for an official release date. 

The game will initially be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, with potential future releases on other platforms. As it’s a free-to-play title, it’s likely that the game will feature in-game microtransactions. There may also be a Battle Pass, aligning with the model of other successful live service games​. 

Who’s making Marvel Rivals?

The game is a collaboration between Marvel and the Chinese company NetEase Games (the studio behind the mobile game Marvel Super War). The team working on the game includes developers who worked on the Call of Duty and Battlefield franchises. 

Jay Ong, the head of Marvel Games, has expressed great enthusiasm about Marvel Rivals. He has described it as one of their most ambitious projects. He emphasised the team’s dedication from the game’s conceptualisation to its development. Speaking to Polygon, NetEase Games director Thaddeus Sasser (kinda sounds like a Marvel villain, right?!) said:

“Being able to play as your favourite hero in a multiplayer game is something that was super appealing to me, and I think it’s something that appeals to a lot of players. Think about some of the famous characters from Marvel Comics — there’s a whole list of things you can start to imagine happening in the game. Also, having magical superpowers in a multiplayer game is something that hasn’t really been done to death. It’s still kind of relatively fresh and new, and the way we’re doing it, and some of the tricks we’ve got up our sleeves, should be pretty exciting for new players.”

System requirements for Marvel Rivals

Minimum specs

OS: Windows 10 64-bit

Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X

Memory: 12 GB RAM

Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580

DirectX: Version 12

Storage: 70 GB available space

Recommended specs

OS: Windows 10 64-bit

Processor: Intel Core i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

Memory: 16 GB RAM

Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (Super) or AMD RX 5700-XT

DirectX: Version 12

Storage: 70 GB available space

Discover similar games on Steam

Steam’s library includes several titles that share Marvel Rivals‘ competitive multiplayer spirit. Games like Overwatch 2, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, and Halo Infinite, for instance. These all offer similar team-based gameplay, rich universes, and engaging competitive modes. Exploring these titles can help you get to grips with the genre and inspire strategies and tactics you can use in Marvel Rivals. Remember, a  is a great way to buy games on Steam without needing to share bank or credit card details. 

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