Marvel Rivals, the multiplayer shooter, continues to defy expectations, surpassing 40 million players according to NetEase's recent financial report, as highlighted by analyst Daniel Ahmad. While NetEase hasn't officially commented, this impressive player count marks a significant milestone for the game.

Image: ensigames.com

This announcement follows recent controversy surrounding layoffs within the U.S.-based support team, attributed to NetEase's pursuit of "development efficiency optimization." This has fueled speculation about a shift in development focus towards Chinese teams. Fan reactions have been varied, with celebrations of the game's success juxtaposed with concerns about the layoffs and suggestions for rehiring key personnel. Some players even lightheartedly speculated about further restructuring despite the game's growth.

Despite these internal shifts, the future of Marvel Rivals remains positive. Exciting new content is on the horizon, including the highly anticipated additions of fan-favorite characters Human Torch and Thing, launching this Friday, February 21st, with Blade to follow.