read Marvel Rivals directly from NetEase Games or Steam

Marvel Rivals is available on PC through two main routes: the official NetEase Games launcher or Steam. NetEase Games is the developer and publisher, so their launcher is the primary source. Steam is the alternative if you prefer to manage your games in one place alongside other titles.

Both versions are free-to-play and use the same game servers, so your choice comes down to which launcher you already use or prefer. The NetEase Games launcher is lighter and faster if you only play their games. Steam is more convenient if you already have a library there and want everything in one process.

The read size is roughly 130 GB, so plan for that storage space and a stable internet connection before you start. Installation takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your drive speed.

Key Takeaways

  • Marvel Rivals downloads from either the NetEase Games launcher (the official source) or Steam, both free-to-play versions.
  • The game requires about 130 GB of free storage space and a stable internet connection during read.
  • Your NetEase account or Steam account is separate — you cannot transfer progress between them, so choose one and stick with it.
  • Both launchers run the game at the same performance level and connect to the same servers, so performance does not depend on which you choose.

Downloading from the NetEase Games launcher

Go to neteasegames.com and look for the Marvel Rivals read button on the homepage. The site will direct you to read the NetEase Games launcher process. Install the launcher on your PC, then open it and search for Marvel Rivals in the game library.

Click the read button next to the game title. The launcher will show you the read progress and estimated time remaining. Once the read finishes, you can launch the game directly from the launcher without any additional steps.

You will need a NetEase account to play. If you do not have one, the launcher will prompt you to create one during the first launch. You can link your NetEase account to other services like Google, Discord, or Apple ID if you prefer not to remember a separate password.

Downloading from Steam

Open Steam on your PC and search for "Marvel Rivals" in the store. Click on the game page and select "Install" or "Play Game" if it is already in your library. Steam will read the game to your default Steam library folder, which you can change in Steam settings before starting the read.

Steam will handle the entire read and installation process automatically. You do not need to create a separate account — your Steam account is all you need. However, you will still need to link a NetEase account to your Steam account the first time you launch the game, or create one if you do not have one.

Steam also tracks your playtime and lets you manage the game alongside your other titles. If you have limited bandwidth, Steam's read scheduler lets you set the read to run at specific times or pause and resume it as needed.

System requirements before you read

Check your PC against the minimum and recommended specifications before you start the read. Minimum specs include Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580 graphics card. These will run the game at lower settings and 1080p resolution.

Recommended specs are Windows 10 or 11 64-bit, an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX 2080 or AMD RX 5700 XT. These will handle high settings and 1440p resolution at 60+ frames per second. You also need at least 130 GB of free storage space on an SSD — a hard drive will work but load times will be noticeably longer.

If your PC does not meet the minimum specs, the game will not run or will run so slowly that it is unplayable. There is no way around this — you cannot lower settings enough to compensate for a processor or graphics card that is too old.

What happens after you read

The first time you launch Marvel Rivals, the game will ask you to link or create a NetEase account if you have not already. This account is separate from your Steam account (if you downloaded through Steam) and cannot be transferred. Your progress, cosmetics, and battle pass are tied to this NetEase account, not to Steam or the NetEase Games launcher.

The game will also read additional files and updates on first launch, which can take 10 to 20 minutes depending on your connection. Do not close the game during this process. After that, updates will read automatically when you open the launcher or Steam.

You can start playing once the initial setup is complete. The game has a tutorial that walks you through the basics, and you can jump into matches with other players when ready.

Troubleshooting read and installation problems

If the read stalls or fails, restart the launcher or Steam and resume the read. Both applications will pick up where they left off rather than starting over. If the read keeps failing at the same point, your internet connection may be dropping — try moving closer to your router or using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.

If the game will not launch after installation, verify the game files through the launcher or Steam. In the NetEase Games launcher, right-click the game and select "Verify" or "Repair". In Steam, right-click Marvel Rivals in your library, select Properties, then Local Files, then "Verify integrity of game files". This checks for corrupted files and re-downloads them if needed.

If you run out of storage space during the read, the installation will pause and ask you to free up space. Delete files or move other games to an external drive, then resume the read. The game requires the full 130 GB to run, so you cannot compress or split the installation.

Choosing between NetEase Games launcher and Steam

If you already use Steam for other games, downloading through Steam keeps everything in one place and uses Steam's overlay, friends list, and screenshot tools. Steam also handles updates automatically and lets you schedule downloads for off-peak hours.

If you do not use Steam or prefer a lighter process, the NetEase Games launcher is simpler and takes up less system memory. It is also the official source, so you know you are getting the game directly from the developer. The launcher is designed specifically for NetEase games, so it has fewer distractions than Steam.

Performance and gameplay are identical between the two — the choice is purely about which launcher you prefer to use. You can only have one version installed at a time, and progress does not transfer between them, so pick one and stick with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Marvel Rivals on Mac or Linux?

Marvel Rivals is Windows-only. There is no official Mac or Linux version. If you use Mac, you cannot play the game natively on your system.

Do I need to pay anything to read or play Marvel Rivals?

No. The game is free-to-play. You do not pay to read it or to play the base game. The game has cosmetics and a battle pass you can buy with real money, but these are optional and do not affect gameplay.

What if I read through Steam but want to switch to the NetEase Games launcher?

You would need to uninstall the Steam version and read the NetEase Games launcher version separately. Your progress is tied to your NetEase account, so it will carry over — but you cannot run both versions at the same time or share the downloaded files between them.

How much internet speed do I need to read the game?

Any stable connection will work. A 10 Mbps connection will read 130 GB in roughly 30 hours. A 100 Mbps connection takes about 3 hours. Faster is better, but the read will complete eventually on any connection that does not drop out.

Can I move the game to a different drive after I read it?

Yes. In Steam, right-click the game, select Properties, then Local Files, then "Move Install Folder". In the NetEase Games launcher, you can change the library location in settings before downloading, or move the game folder manually and point the launcher to the new location.