Marvel Rivals Surges While Overwatch 2 Steam Numbers Drop

Discover how the surge in popularity of Marvel Rivals has impacted Overwatch 2's player base on Steam.

Overwatch 2 Numbers Dip Below 20K Following Marvel Rivals' Launch

OW2 Meets Its Match

Overwatch 2 experienced its lowest player count on Steam after the release of Marvel Rivals on December 5th. On December 6th, the player count for Overwatch 2 plummeted to 17,591, and further decreased to 16,919 by December 9th. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals attracted a massive audience, reaching 184,633 players on December 6th and climbing to 202,077 on December 9th. When comparing all-time peak player counts, Marvel Rivals significantly outpaces Overwatch 2, with a high of 480,990 players compared to Overwatch 2's 75,608.

Both titles offer similar gameplay as free-to-play, team-based PVP shooters with engaging mechanics, leading to inevitable comparisons since Marvel Rivals' launch. Overwatch 2 has faced criticism, resulting in a 'Mixed' review rating on Steam from both Marvel Rivals enthusiasts and disappointed Overwatch 2 players. Meanwhile, Marvel Rivals boasts a 'Mostly Positive' rating, despite some noted balancing concerns.

Steam Represents Only a Slice of Overwatch 2's Player Base

It's important to consider that Steam is just one of several platforms where Overwatch 2 is available. The game can also be played on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Blizzard's own PC platform, Battle.net. Discussions on Reddit suggest that many players prefer Battle.net, especially since the Steam version was only introduced in 2023, a year after its Early Access launch on Battle.net. Playing Overwatch 2 on any platform other than Steam requires a Battle.net account for cross-platform play.

Overwatch 2 has also kicked off Season 14, featuring a new Scottish tank hero named Hazard, a new limited-time mode, and the 2024 Winter Wonderland event, aligning perfectly with the festive season.

Both Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals are free-to-play on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Additionally, Overwatch 2 is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.