NetEase's recent financial report, as highlighted by analyst Daniel Ahmad, reveals that Marvel Rivals, the multiplayer shooter, has surpassed 40 million players. While this significant milestone hasn't been publicly acknowledged by the developers, it has generated considerable buzz among fans.

Image: ensigames.com

The news comes amidst recent controversy surrounding layoffs within the U.S.-based support team. Cited as a move towards "development efficiency optimization," the layoffs have sparked debate, with some players advocating for the rehiring of key contributors to the game's success. Others have responded with humorous speculation about the irony of layoffs coinciding with such impressive growth. This restructuring suggests a potential shift in NetEase's development focus towards their Chinese teams.

Despite these challenges, the future of Marvel Rivals appears strong. Exciting new content is on the horizon, including the highly anticipated arrival of fan-favorite characters. Human Torch and Thing are set to join the roster this Friday, February 21st, with Blade also planned for future release.