From the moment it was revealed, Marvel Rivals has drawn inevitable comparisons to Overwatch due to their striking similarities. Both games fall into the genre of competitive multiplayer hero shooters, with Marvel Rivals featuring a roster of Marvel heroes and villains, much like how Overwatch uses its unique cast of characters. Both titles are free-to-play, operate as live services, and rely on the introduction of new characters to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.

Since its launch in December, Marvel Rivals has experienced a surge in popularity, sparking speculation that it may be drawing players away from Overwatch 2. The narrative suggests that Blizzard's game is seeing a decline in interest as NetEase's Marvel Rivals captures the attention of the gaming community.

In a recent interview with GamesRadar, Aaron Keller, the director of Overwatch 2, addressed the new competitive landscape in which Blizzard finds itself, with Marvel Rivals attracting tens of millions of players. Keller described the situation as "exciting," and praised Marvel Rivals for taking the concepts established by Overwatch in a "different direction." He admitted that the success of Marvel Rivals has prompted Blizzard to adopt a more daring approach to Overwatch 2, stating, "this is no longer about playing it safe."

Overwatch 2 Perks

4 Images

In response, Blizzard has unveiled plans for significant changes to Overwatch 2 in 2025. Alongside the expected new content, the core gameplay will undergo a transformation, including the introduction of hero perks and the return of loot boxes. These changes are anticipated to reignite interest in the game, which is now nearly nine years removed from the original Overwatch's debut in 2016 and two-and-a-half years since the launch of Overwatch 2. Although Blizzard does not disclose Overwatch player numbers, the concurrent player count on Steam has reached its lowest point since Overwatch 2's launch on the platform in 2023, with a peak of 37,046 players over the last 24 hours.

In contrast, Marvel Rivals continues to thrive, maintaining its position as a top 10 most-played game on Steam, with a peak of 310,287 concurrent players in the last 24 hours.

Marvel Rivals Tier List: Best Heroes

Overwatch 2 currently holds a 'mostly negative' user review rating on Steam. In August 2023, it became the worst user-reviewed game on the platform, primarily due to backlash over its monetization model. Blizzard faced criticism for transitioning the premium original Overwatch into a free-to-play sequel, which rendered the original game unplayable. Overwatch 2 also faced several controversies, including the cancellation of its highly anticipated PvE Hero mode, which many players believed justified the sequel's existence.

For more insights on Marvel Rivals, including the developer's stance on datamining and the potential for a Nintendo Switch 2 version, check out IGN's coverage.