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 decreasing 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 are free-to-play, team-based PVP shooters, leading to inevitable comparisons. However, Overwatch 2's Steam reviews are "Mixed," while Marvel Rivals enjoys a "Mostly Positive" rating, despite some balance concerns.
Steam Represents Only a Portion of Overwatch 2's Players
It's crucial to remember that Steam is not Overwatch 2's sole platform. The game is also available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Blizzard's Battle.net. Reddit discussions suggest a significant portion of the player base resides on 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.
Despite the Steam numbers, Overwatch 2 recently launched Season 14, featuring new content like the Scottish tank hero, Hazard, a new limited-time mode, and the 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.
