Marvel Rivals Soars as Overwatch 2 Steam Player Count Fall

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.

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 concurrent player counts: 184,633 on December 6th and 202,077 on December 9th. The peak player counts further highlight the disparity, with Marvel Rivals reaching 480,990 compared to Overwatch 2's 75,608. Both games are free-to-play, team-based PVP shooters, leading to inevitable comparisons. However, Overwatch 2's Steam reviews are "Mixed," while Marvel Rivals boasts "Mostly Positive" reviews, despite some balancing concerns.

Steam's Limited View

It's crucial to remember that Steam represents 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 a significant portion of the player base utilizes Battle.net, especially considering the Steam version's 2023 release, a year after its Battle.net launch. Cross-platform play also necessitates a Battle.net account.

Overwatch 2's Ongoing Updates

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

Availability

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