Marvel’s Avengers reveals launch details, 18 GB day-one patch
Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix Montreal are gearing up for the launch of Marvel’s Avengers with a detailed rundown of everything players can expect on day one.
Notably, if you’re buying the game physically, you’ll need to take two specific actions before you can play any of the content on the disc. First, you’ll need to connect to the internet for a one-time activation, though after you’ll be free to play all of the single-player content offline. (A persistent internet connection will, of course, be required to play in co-op or to download any future content updates to the game.)
Second, you’ll need to download and install the game’s day-one patch, which weighs in at a whopping 18 GB. While the developers have not released any specific patch notes, more broadly the patch will include “several updates and refinements that are required for play,” “localization files for the game’s dialogue,” and “fixes, feedback, updates, and tuning” based on feedback from the game’s beta weekends.
In addition, if you want to try out any of the co-op content, you’ll need to sign up for a free Square Enix Members account. If you played the beta, you’ve already got one. If not, you may want to sign up early to avoid potential delays. You’ll also need an active PlayStation Plus membership on PS4 or Xbox Live Gold membership on Xbox One to go play co-op.
Finally, the Avengers team offered specific details on launch timing. While the standard edition releases on September 4th, the Deluxe Edition, PlayStation Store Exclusive Deluxe Edition, and Earth’s Mightiest Edition will all get 72 hours of early access, meaning these pricier versions will launch on September 1st.
The platform you choose will also affect your unlock time. On Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the game will unlock at midnight in your respective timezone. On Windows PC and Google Stadia, the game will unlock on 9 a.m. PT the morning of launch day. You’ll be able to preorder the game and acquire bonus content—including classic comics-inspired outfits for each hero—right up until launch on a given platform in a given region.
Alongside all these details, today’s announcements also included a reminder of the scope of everything that will be in the game at launch:
- A Full-length campaign featuring an original Avengers narrative
- 6 Heroes, each with 50+ skills to upgrade + gear/outfits to unlock
- 80+ War Zones/Drop Zones to play with friends or your AI Avengers
- Regularly updated Priority HARM Challenges & Priority Missions
- Later game mission types like Hives and Villain Sectors
- 50+ enemy types to master
- And in the future, new playable Avengers like Hawkeye, as well as new story content and regions – all at no additional cost
For more on Marvel’s Avengers, be sure to check out the launch trailer, our recent hands-on preview of the beta content, and some of the surprising heroes reportedly coming to the game after launch.
