Marvel Rivals, since its unveiling, has drawn inevitable comparisons to Overwatch. Superficially, the similarities are striking: both are competitive multiplayer hero shooters, with Marvel Rivals substituting Marvel characters for Overwatch's roster. Both share similar mechanics and gameplay. Both are free-to-play, live-service titles relying on new character additions to maintain player engagement.

Marvel Rivals' explosive popularity since its December launch has fueled speculation about a corresponding decline in Overwatch 2's player base. The narrative suggests NetEase's title is actively drawing players away from Blizzard's offering.

In a recent GamesRadar interview, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged this new competitive landscape, unprecedented in Overwatch's history, due to Marvel Rivals' significant player base.

Overwatch 2's Response

4 Images

Keller described the situation as "exciting," praising Marvel Rivals for taking established Overwatch concepts in "a different direction." However, he also admitted that Marvel Rivals' success has prompted a shift in Blizzard's approach to Overwatch 2, moving away from a "playing it safe" strategy.

Consequently, Blizzard announced sweeping changes for Overwatch 2 in 2025. While the roadmap includes expected new content, core gameplay will undergo a significant overhaul, introducing hero perks and the return of loot boxes.

The success of these changes in revitalizing Overwatch 2 remains to be seen. Almost nine years after the original Overwatch's debut and two and a half years after Overwatch 2's launch, while Blizzard doesn't release player numbers, Steam concurrent player counts are at an all-time low since its 2023 release (peaking at 37,046 in the last 24 hours). In contrast, Marvel Rivals maintains a top 10 Steam position, with a 24-hour peak of 310,287 concurrent players.

Overwatch 2 currently holds a "mostly negative" user review rating on Steam, reaching the dubious distinction of being Steam's worst-reviewed game in August 2023. Criticism largely centers on monetization practices following the controversial transition from a premium model to a free-to-play sequel, rendering the original Overwatch unplayable. Further controversies, including the cancellation of the anticipated PvE Hero mode, fueled negative player sentiment.

IGN offers further coverage of Marvel Rivals, including developer statements on datamining and the potential for a Nintendo Switch 2 version.