Marvel Rivals stands out as a premier PC game of 2025, showcasing legendary heroes and villains from comic book lore in an adrenaline-pumping hero shooter developed by NetEase Games.
NetEase Games is committed to enhancing player experience through ongoing updates. Notably, the latest update in Season Two introduces significant performance optimizations tailored for users with low-end CPUs. This update enables shader compilation to occur just once after a patch, rather than every time the game launches.
However, activating this new feature has a caveat—it must be manually enabled through the game’s PC launcher. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to access the Marvel Rivals launcher and enable the shader compilation mode.
How to Access the Marvel Rivals Launcher
For most players using Steam or the Epic Games Store, the Marvel Rivals launcher should automatically appear when you first launch the game. Once it’s open, simply tick the box that reads “Switch Shader Compilation Mode” to access this new experimental graphics option introduced in Season Two.
However, some users report that the game launches directly without opening the Marvel Rivals launcher, thus missing the Experimental Shader Compilation option. This appears to be an oversight from NetEase. If you encounter this issue, consider the following solutions:
Look for a file named MarvelRivals_Launcher.exe on your PC. If you can run this file manually, it should bring up the launcher. You can typically find it in the directory “C:\ Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common” if you’re playing via Steam.
Running MarvelRivals_Launcher.exe should launch the appropriate interface and allow you to change the settings. However, if you encounter continued difficulties accessing the launcher, it may require further guidance from NetEase regarding resolving the issue.
If you still cannot find the executable file in your directories, it might indicate a broader issue since, generally, most players can launch the game by simply clicking it in their Steam library.
For the time being, enjoy playing Marvel Rivals in its current form while waiting for NetEase to address these launcher issues. Don’t forget to report any problems you encounter to the developers to expedite a resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I enable the Experimental Shader Compilation mode in Marvel Rivals?
To enable the Experimental Shader Compilation mode, you must open the Marvel Rivals launcher. If it doesn’t appear automatically, locate and run MarvelRivals_Launcher.exe from “C:\ Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common” and check the option “Switch Shader Compilation Mode.”
What should I do if the Marvel Rivals launcher doesn’t open?
If the launcher doesn’t open upon game startup, try manually launching MarvelRivals_Launcher.exe. If that fails, there may be a larger issue that NetEase needs to address. Consider reaching out to their support for assistance.
Is Marvel Rivals available on all PC platforms?
Yes, Marvel Rivals is available on PC through popular platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store, allowing a wide player base to enjoy the game.
Can I play Marvel Rivals on a low-end PC?
Yes, the game has been optimized for low-end CPUs, with updates that reduce strain by compiling shaders just once after a patch installation instead of every time the game launches, enhancing performance for players with less powerful setups.