NetEase‘s Marvel Rivals had a phenomenal debut year, but executive producer Danny Koo calls 2025 merely “a warm-up period.” With content already mapped through 2027, the developer promises 2026 will bring bigger plans, expanded game modes, and weekly updates to make it “the biggest game possible.”
Marvel Rivals 2025 Performance
Year One Success Metrics
| Metric | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Player Base | 40+ million globally |
| January Revenue | $135 million gross |
| Peak Concurrent | 644K+ players |
| Current Players | 100K+ concurrent on Steam |
| New Heroes Added | 12 characters across 5 seasons |
| Game Awards | Best Ongoing Game nomination |
What’s Coming in 2026?
NetEase has planned content more than a year ahead, with 2026 focusing on expanded game modes beyond standard 6v6 PvP. The successful Marvel Zombies PvE mode and experimental 18v18 Annihilation battles have influenced the direction, with prototypes for massive team battles and additional PvE content already in development.
Season 6 kicks off the year with Deadpool and Elsa Bloodstone joining the roster, while Cyclops received a tease in Season 5’s wedding cinematic. Publishing lead Yachen Bian confirmed they’re providing more game modes to refresh player experiences and cater to different playstyles—from competitive PvP to casual co-op adventures.
Building the Biggest Game Possible
The team releases new content every week, maintaining momentum that helped Marvel Rivals avoid the content droughts plaguing other hero shooters. Koo explained that everyone on the team wants to make this the biggest game possible, with developers arriving daily excited about what’s new.
The Marvel Zombies mode took six months to prototype after the team watched an advance screening of the animated series. Its Halloween-timed release demonstrated how Marvel Rivals can expand beyond traditional shooter formats while maintaining its core identity.
Community Wishlist
Players want permanent versions of limited-time modes, more maps for core gameplay, interactive Times Square hub activities, and community voting on hero releases similar to Marvel Comics’ Hellfire Gala events. NetEase noted that if players make their voices heard regarding temporary game modes, there’s a good chance those modes will become permanent additions.
