Overwatch 2's Steam player count plummets following Marvel Rivals' successful launch. This article explores the impact of Marvel Rivals on Overwatch 2's player base, highlighting their similarities and contrasting reception.
A Direct Competitor Emerges
The release of Marvel Rivals, a competing team-based shooter, coincided with a significant drop in Overwatch 2's Steam player count. Following Marvel Rivals' December 5th launch, Overwatch 2 saw its lowest ever concurrent player count on Steam, dipping below 17,000 players. In stark contrast, Marvel Rivals boasted a substantially larger player base, exceeding 180,000 concurrent players in its initial days. This disparity is even more pronounced when comparing all-time peak player counts, with Marvel Rivals significantly outpacing Overwatch 2. The similar free-to-play, team-based PVP mechanics of both games have fueled direct comparisons, impacting Overwatch 2's reception. Negative Steam reviews, from both Marvel Rivals fans and dissatisfied Overwatch 2 players, contributed to a "Mixed" overall rating for Overwatch 2, while Marvel Rivals received a "Mostly Positive" rating despite some balance concerns.
Steam Represents a Small Portion of Overwatch 2's Total Players
It's crucial to remember that Steam only represents a fraction of Overwatch 2's total player base. Available on multiple platforms (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Battle.net), the game's player count on Steam might be lower due to its later release on the platform and the requirement of a Battle.net account for cross-platform play. Many players likely remain on Battle.net, where the game initially launched.
Overwatch 2's Ongoing Content Updates
Despite the player count dip, Overwatch 2 recently launched Season 14, featuring new content including a Scottish tank hero (Hazard), a new limited-time mode, and the start of the 2024 Winter Wonderland event.
Both Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals are available for free on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Overwatch 2 also supports PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
