Is Marvel Rivals On PS4: Myth Or Reality?

The developers did not provide for the optimization of Marvel Rivals on PlayStation 4, considering it not powerful enough for this game. Although PS 4 is not a rare console: its release took place on November 15, 2013. And it seemed like it was just yesterday… In general, I think that Marvel Rivals is depriving itself of many potential players by creating such restrictions.

The developers are giving an ultimatum: either update to the PS5 or watch Let’s Play and suffer. In general, the fact that Marvel Rivals does not plan to be released on PS4 has outraged a lot of people. Some on Reddit reasoned like this: “The PS2 came out in 2000, its last game was in 2014. That’s a 14-year lifespan. PS3 died fast since it was shit, but the PS4 lives just like the PS2 did. And as of May 24, 2024, 50% of PlayStation players are still on the PS4; that’s 50% of your market base you ignore by saying PS5 only. Marvel Rivals could have doubled its PlayStation profit margins”.

There are several reasons why Marvel Rivals is not available on PS4:

1. The developers focused most of their attention, first of all, on the release of Marvel Rivals on PC. Therefore, it is logical that the game is being developed and optimized specifically for it. For PC, they increase performance and make the gameplay more qualitative and colorful. That is, consoles can wait their turn for now.

2. Marvel Rivals is a fairly demanding game in terms of characteristics. Although PS4 is a titan in the universe of consoles, unfortunately, it will not be able to handle Marvel Rivals. And this is not because the hardware is weak or the console is outdated. Although the PS4 was released back in 2013, it comes with its functions perfectly and has a good “price = quality” ratio.

However, NetEase Games did not want to optimize Marvel Rivals for older generations of PS: PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch turned out to be “outcasts.” This is explained by the fact that the game is quite demanding and has vast interactive maps and fast-paced character action. As one Reddit user put it: “I think the PS4 would explode if it had to deal with Dr. Strange’s portal.”

3. However, some players believe that the fact that Marvel Rivals is only optimized for the PS5 is due to the company being interested in buying next-gen consoles: “If the PS4 can handle Black Ops 6 at a consistent frame rate, then I find it extremely hard to believe that it can’t handle Marvel Rivals. Moreover, there are other games on the PS4 with similar, if not higher system requirements/much more graphically intense. I think this has more to do with the age of the console and Sony’s desire to displace the PS5 than with the console’s capabilities.”

On December 6, 2024, Marvel Rivals was released on PC (Stream, Epic Games), Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. As you can see, the game is not supported on older versions of Xbox, such as Xbox One, PS4, and PS3. NetEase Games is not even considering Nintendo Switch.

Here are two reasons why Marvel Rivals should be released on PS4:

1. A huge number of Marvel fans have not upgraded to PS5. Thus, if Marvel Rivals were optimized for PS4, the developers would receive more financial support from potential players.
2. The developers respond well to the vast opinions of the majority of players. If they notice that fans need the release of Marvel Rivals on PS4, they may adapt the game to an older version of PC.

Even if the greedy NetEase Games still do not optimize Marvel Rivals on PS4, what should we do then?

Analyze the options and write yours in the comments.

1. Cry, kick your PS4, and shout: “Why can’t you handle Marvel Rivals, old man! Why am I so poor!”
2. Do not react at all: Marvel is not such an interesting game, but Batman from DC is a completely different matter. Or Divinity: original sin 2 for example.
3. Aggression towards PS5 owners, calling them victims of marketing, and writing angry comments under NetEase Games posts.
4. Sit down to play Marvel Rivals on PC – no consoles needed! Just a computer, just high FPS.
5. Play Marvel Rivals on PS5: You’re a genius, a billionaire, a playboy, a philanthropist.

Jokes aside, NetEase Games is digging a hole for itself by not releasing its new game on PS4. Logically, the company would have received much more revenue if it hadn’t put such a spoke in the wheel of owners of older versions of consoles. But let’s not gloat, because maybe NetEase Games will come to its senses and optimize Marvel Rivals on PS4…

The news that NetEase Game is not going to release the game on PS4 has caused strong and mixed emotions among Marvel fans. Most wrote that they are not going to buy PS5 just for Marvel Rivals:

“There is no way I am buying new-gen consoles for the price they have now, there is nothing in this game that couldn’t be on PS4”.

Some complained about their financial situation and the high cost of PS5:

“Well sorry, I don’t have 500 dollars”

However, some guys advocated for Marvel Rivals not to come out on PS4, arguing that it is already outdated.

“As far as I understand the PS5’s weird position, at some point you have to accept that it came out 4 years ago. That’s the current generation. PS4 is the last generation. It’s over. If you don’t have the money for PS5, stay on PS4 and play the hundreds of great games that are still available on physical media or PSN. There aren’t many PS5 exclusives at the moment, I can promise you that.”

“…Trying to cram new games onto outdated last-gen hardware will result in a poor experience and prevent developers from taking advantage of new technology. Unfortunately, the PS4 is at a point where you either upgrade or resign yourself to playing older games. I’d recommend considering a budget gaming PC if possible, or a Series S.”

By the way, I noticed that more than once players suggested buying an Xbox instead of a PS5:

“Buy an Xbox Series S for about $200. I don’t think the PS4 or Xbox One can play it. I play on an Xbox Series S and it works fine, no problems, but I only played for 2 hours.”

“…You can easily buy a next-gen console second hand for cheap, there’s no way you can’t pay for a PS5 300/200 or a Series X on eBay, or people on government assistance who have next-gen consoles, you can go to any store and pick one up for $380 or another $60, you can buy a digital X right now just to play new games.”