Marvel Rivals Hits 40M Players Despite Controversy

Despite recent speculations about a potential decline, *Marvel Rivals*, the multiplayer shooter from NetEase, continues to flourish. The company's latest financial report, as shared by market analyst Daniel Ahmad, reveals that the game has now surpassed an impressive 40 million players. While this milestone marks a significant achievement, no further details have been released, and the game’s developers have yet to publicly acknowledge this success.

Image: ensigames.com

The announcement has elicited a range of reactions from the fanbase. Many are thrilled with the game’s continued success, celebrating its growing popularity. However, the recent layoffs of the U.S.-based support team for *Marvel Rivals* have sparked some concern. Some players have called for the rehiring of the creators who were instrumental in the game's rise to fame. Others have taken a lighter approach, jokingly speculating about the possibility of further layoffs amidst the game's burgeoning success.

The layoffs, reportedly aimed at "development efficiency optimization," have led to speculation that NetEase is shifting its focus towards its Chinese development teams. Despite these controversies, the future of *Marvel Rivals* looks promising. Fans can look forward to a wealth of new content, including the introduction of beloved characters like Human Torch, Thing, and Blade. Excitingly, Human Torch and Thing are scheduled to join the roster this Friday, February 21st.