Marvel Triumphs as Overwatch's Steam Reign Wanes

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 concurrent player count on Steam. 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 disparity is even more pronounced when considering peak concurrent players: Marvel Rivals boasts a staggering 480,990, significantly exceeding Overwatch 2's 75,608. Both games are free-to-play, team-based PVP shooters, leading to inevitable comparisons. Overwatch 2's Steam reviews are currently "Mixed," while Marvel Rivals enjoys a "Mostly Positive" rating.

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 resides on Battle.net, especially considering the Steam version's 2023 release, a year after its Battle.net launch. Cross-platform play requires a Battle.net account regardless of the primary platform.

Despite the Steam numbers, Overwatch 2 recently launched Season 14, featuring a new 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 also supports PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.