As the gaming world buzzes with the announcement of Marvel Rivals, a hero shooter that promises to let players step into the boots (or capes) of their favorite Marvel characters, a question lurks in the shadows, whispering sweet nothings to console gamers everywhere.
Can this fresh face in the gaming universe, currently strutting its stuff for the PC crowd, bridge the gap to consoles?
With a gameplay experience that teases the chance to harness the powers of iconic heroes and villains in 6v6 combat, it’s no wonder that whispers and hopes are turning into loud conversations across gaming forums and social media.
The hype train for Marvel Rivals has left the station, and it’s chugging along at full steam.
With NetEase Games and Marvel Games at the helm, unveiling this third-person hero shooter has sparked comparisons to Overwatch, but with a Marvel twist.
It’s a tantalizing prospect: A game that mixes the competitive team-based dynamics of hero shooters with the rich lore and character roster of the Marvel universe. As gamers hungrily devour every detail from the announcement trailer, the elephant in the room is hard to ignore. Will console players get a ticket to this ride?
Yes, Marvel Rivals is set to make its debut on consoles. Despite the lack of an official confirmation from NetEase Games regarding a launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the massive player bases of these platforms make the console version a likely future development. Following queries and a nudge from the official game account to “stay tuned for future updates,” along with insider leaks and developer admissions on Discord, it’s clear: Marvel Rivals will be expanding to consoles, though patience may be required as this move could unfold over the next year or so.
Despite the game’s announcement focusing on a PC launch, with a Closed Alpha Test slated for May, there’s a beacon of hope for console enthusiasts. The official Marvel Rivals account hinted at broader horizons following a query about console availability, stating,
“The Closed Alpha Test will be available for PC. Stay tuned for future updates!”
This nudge-wink from the developers suggests that while the PC crowd gets first dibs, console gamers might not be left in the cold.
But what does this mean for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S communities?
The silence from NetEase Games regarding a console launch has led to rampant speculation. Yet, the strategic avoidance of outright denying console plans speaks volumes.
With the significant player bases of current-gen consoles, it would be a missed opportunity not to expand Marvel Rivals’ reach. Moreover, industry insider Miller Ross’s assertion, “Marvel Rivals is coming to consoles… I am confident in this,” adds fuel to the fire of anticipation.
In a surprising twist within the Marvel Rivals Discord this morning, a gamer shared a captivating tidbit: they had a conversation with two developers who confidently stated that Marvel Rivals is slated to grace multiple platforms in the future.
This revelation came with a hint of regret from the gamer, who lamented not capturing the moment with a screenshot, especially as developers seemed to backtrack later, possibly hinting at negotiations or issues with big names like Microsoft and Sony.
The potential for Marvel Rivals on consoles goes beyond just fulfilling gamers’ wishes. It represents a strategic move to tap into a diverse gaming audience, bridging the gap between PC and console gaming cultures because console players mostly want to get a stable version on their hands (Yeah, PC players suffer all the time).
The game’s roster, featuring a mix of mainstream heroes like Iron Man and lesser-known characters like Luna Snow, shows Marvel’s intention to delve deep into its catalog. This diversity could play well across platforms, offering something for every type of Marvel fan.
But when can console players expect to join the fray?
While the Closed Alpha Test is PC-exclusive, the undercurrents suggest a console debut could follow later in the year or perhaps early into the next.
The development team’s openness to exploring other platforms leaves the door open for not just PS5 and Xbox Series X/S but possibly even the Nintendo Switch or its successor. This approach mirrors the inclusive spirit of the Marvel universe, which aims to welcome as many players as possible to the heroic fold.
So, what do you think? When do you think Marvel Rivals will eventually leap to consoles and bring a new contender to the hero shooter genre? How will the game adapt to different console capabilities?
