Marvel Rivals Surges as Overwatch 2 Steam Player Base Declines

Overwatch 2's Steam player count plummets following Marvel Rivals' successful launch. The impact of Marvel Rivals on Overwatch 2's player base is analyzed below.

A Direct Comparison

Following Marvel Rivals' December 5th release, Overwatch 2 experienced its lowest ever concurrent player count on Steam. On December 6th, the player count dipped to 17,591, further declining to 16,919 by December 9th. This starkly contrasts with Marvel Rivals' impressive numbers: 184,633 on December 6th and 202,077 on December 9th. The disparity is even more pronounced when considering peak player counts: Marvel Rivals boasts a staggering 480,990, significantly surpassing Overwatch 2's 75,608. Both games, being free-to-play team-based shooters, have drawn comparisons, but the reception has been vastly different. Overwatch 2's Steam reviews are "Mixed," while Marvel Rivals enjoys a "Mostly Positive" rating, despite some balance concerns.

Steam's Limited View

It's crucial to remember that Steam represents only a fraction of Overwatch 2's total player base. Available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Battle.net, the game's Steam version, released in 2023, is a relatively recent addition. Reddit discussions suggest many players remain on Battle.net, the original platform. Furthermore, cross-platform play necessitates a Battle.net account regardless of the primary platform.

Overwatch 2's Ongoing Content

Overwatch 2 recently launched Season 14, featuring a new Scottish tank hero (Hazard), a new limited-time mode, and the 2024 Winter Wonderland event.

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