Marvel Rivals: A Leading Title in Online Multiplayer Gaming
Marvel Rivals can be considered one of the largest online multiplayer games in recent years. Moreover, this game consistently maintains a player count of over 300,000 concurrent users on Steam, making it one of the most beloved superhero games currently available. What many may not know is that Marvel Rivals was once on the verge of being canceled and nearly disappeared from the gaming landscape.
The Origin of Marvel Rivals and Its Development Challenges
This situation stemmed from the cost-cutting measures of NetEase, which at one point considered Marvel Rivals as a potential title that could be officially canceled. According to sources from Bloomberg, there had been discussions about dropping the project due to rising costs associated with licensing fees for using the likeness of iconic characters like Wolverine and Spider-Man. Furthermore, as costs escalated, developers had to change the names of superheroes to avoid incurring these additional expenses.
However, despite these challenges, the project did not change direction, and NetEase was reportedly able to secure the rights to use the likeness of these superheroes for several million dollars. This could be seen as a gamble for NetEase, as acquiring such expensive rights does not guarantee the game’s success in generating revenue. In addition, many titles featuring superheroes have historically struggled to achieve commercial viability. In response to this, the development team at NetEase has remained silent regarding these developments while emphasizing their longstanding relationship with Marvel since 2017.
Fortunately, in the end, Marvel Rivals was launched according to plan, benefiting all parties involved. NetEase managed to secure a significant return on investment from the project’s success, while players enjoyed a free-to-play gaming experience that maintained high quality.
