From its unveiling, *Marvel Rivals* drew inevitable comparisons to *Overwatch*. Superficially, the similarities are striking: both are competitive multiplayer hero shooters, utilizing distinct character rosters (Marvel heroes and villains versus *Overwatch*'s unique cast). Both share free-to-play models, live service updates, and rely on new character additions to maintain player engagement. Since its December launch, *Marvel Rivals* has seen explosive growth, sparking speculation about a potential shift in player interest away from *Overwatch 2*.
In a recent interview with GamesRadar, *Overwatch 2* director Aaron Keller acknowledged this new competitive landscape, describing it as unprecedented for *Overwatch*. While he expressed excitement and even praised *Marvel Rivals* for taking established ideas in "a different direction," he admitted that *Marvel Rivals*' success has compelled Blizzard to adopt a more aggressive approach to *Overwatch 2*, abandoning a "play it safe" strategy.
Overwatch 2 Perks
This has led to significant changes announced for *Overwatch 2* in 2025. While the roadmap includes expected new content, core gameplay will undergo a major overhaul, including the introduction of hero perks and the return of loot boxes. The success of these changes in revitalizing player interest remains to be seen.
Nearly nine years after the original *Overwatch* launched and two and a half years since *Overwatch 2*, while Blizzard doesn't release player numbers, Steam concurrent player counts for *Overwatch 2* are at their lowest 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.
Marvel Rivals Tier List: Best Heroes
Marvel Rivals Tier List: Best Heroes
*Overwatch 2* currently holds a "mostly negative" user review rating on Steam, reaching the dubious distinction of being the worst-reviewed game on the platform in August 2023. Much of the negative feedback 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 player dissatisfaction.
For more on *Marvel Rivals*, including developer clarifications on datamining and potential Nintendo Switch 2 versions, check out IGN.
