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 employing Marvel characters where Overwatch uses its own roster. Both share similar mechanics and gameplay systems. Further mirroring each other, both titles are free-to-play, utilize live service monetization models, and rely 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 prevailing narrative suggests NetEase's Marvel Rivals is actively attracting Overwatch 2 players.
In a recent GamesRadar interview, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller addressed this new competitive landscape, acknowledging the unprecedented challenge posed by a game so closely resembling Overwatch.
Overwatch 2's Response
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Keller described the situation as "exciting," praising Marvel Rivals for taking established Overwatch concepts in "a different direction." However, he also conceded that Marvel Rivals' success has compelled Blizzard to adopt a more aggressive approach to Overwatch 2, stating, "this is no longer about playing it safe."
Consequently, Blizzard announced significant changes for Overwatch 2 in 2025. While the roadmap includes expected new content, core gameplay will undergo a major overhaul, introducing hero perks and the return of loot boxes.
The success of these changes remains to be seen. Nearly nine years after Overwatch's 2016 debut and two and a half years since Overwatch 2's release, Blizzard hasn't disclosed player numbers. However, Steam's concurrent player count for Overwatch 2 is at its lowest point since its 2023 launch, peaking at 37,046 in the last 24 hours. In contrast, Marvel Rivals maintains a top 10 Steam ranking, with a 24-hour peak of 310,287 concurrent players.
Overwatch 2 currently holds a "mostly negative" user review rating on Steam, having briefly become the worst-reviewed game on the platform 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 highly anticipated PvE Hero mode, have fueled negative sentiment.
IGN offers further coverage of Marvel Rivals, including developer comments on datamining and the potential for a Nintendo Switch 2 version.
