Marvel Rivals Surges Amid Overwatch 2's Declining Steam Numbers

The dynamic between Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals has intensified following the latter's launch, impacting player counts and sparking discussions within the gaming community. Dive into the details of how these similar yet distinct games are influencing each other's player bases.

Overwatch 2 Numbers Dip Below 20K Post-Marvel Rivals Launch

OW2 Faces New Competition

Following the launch of Marvel Rivals on December 5th, Overwatch 2 experienced its lowest player count on Steam, plummeting to 17,591 players on December 6th and further to 16,919 on December 9th. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals attracted a massive following, boasting 184,633 players on the 6th and surging to 202,077 on the 9th. The all-time peak player counts tell an even more dramatic story, with Marvel Rivals reaching an impressive 480,990, far surpassing Overwatch 2's peak of 75,608.

The striking similarities between these two free-to-play, team-based PvP shooters have fueled endless comparisons since Marvel Rivals' debut. Overwatch 2 has faced criticism and negative reviews on Steam, earning a 'Mixed' rating from both Marvel Rivals enthusiasts and its own disillusioned player base. Meanwhile, Marvel Rivals enjoys a 'Mostly Positive' review rating, despite some noted balancing issues.

Steam Represents Only a Slice of Overwatch 2's Audience

It's important to recognize that Steam's player count reflects only a segment of Overwatch 2's total audience. The game is also accessible on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Blizzard's Battle.net platform. Community discussions on Reddit highlight that many players prefer Battle.net, especially since the Steam version was introduced in 2023, a year after its Early Access release on Battle.net. Moreover, playing Overwatch 2 on any platform other than PC requires a Battle.net account for cross-platform play.

Overwatch 2 is currently in the midst of Season 14, rolling out a wealth of new content. This includes the introduction of Hazard, a new Scottish tank hero, a fresh limited-time game mode, and the festive 2024 Winter Wonderland event, perfectly timed for the holiday season.

Both Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals can be enjoyed for free on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Additionally, Overwatch 2 is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, offering a wide range of platforms for players to choose from.