Marvel Rivals Soars as Overwatch 2 Steam Player Count Fall

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 Comparison

Following Marvel Rivals' December 5th release, Overwatch 2 experienced its lowest ever Steam player count. 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 all-time peak for Marvel Rivals is a staggering 480,990 players, significantly exceeding Overwatch 2's 75,608 peak. Both games share a similar free-to-play, team-based PVP shooter structure, leading to inevitable comparisons. However, Overwatch 2's Steam reviews are "Mixed," influenced by negative feedback from both Marvel Rivals fans and dissatisfied Overwatch 2 players, while Marvel Rivals boasts a "Mostly Positive" rating, despite some balance concerns.

Steam Represents a Small Portion of Overwatch 2's Player Base

It's crucial to remember that the Steam numbers represent only a fraction of Overwatch 2's total player base. The game is also available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Battle.net. Reddit discussions suggest many players migrated to Battle.net, as the Steam version launched in 2023, a year after its Early Access debut on Battle.net. Furthermore, cross-platform play requires a Battle.net account across all platforms.

Despite the Steam player drop, 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 available for free on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Overwatch 2 is also playable on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.