Marvel Rivalshas been compared toOverwatch 2since before its launch last December. When it was announced, many called it an Overwatch-like, includingus here at TheGamer, though my colleague Eric Switzersaid it was more like Bleeding Edge. It hasmany similarities to Overwatch 2, from its overall hero shooter concept to its mode types and map layouts. We even saw former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra once post and delete a tweetcalling Rivals an “Overwatch clone”.
Marvel Rivals Is Doing Better Than Overwatch 2 Right Now
Many have also speculated on whether Rivals would be the game to finally dethrone Overwatch. Like Eric,I doubted the game would secure a big enough audience to succeed. I have never been more wrong about anything in my life.
Marvel Rivalslaunched with six times more players than Overwatch 2, and instead of falling off quickly like live-service games usually do, it managed toretain a stunning proportion of its playersand evenhit a new all-time peak on Steam during its first season.
On the day I’m writing this article, Marvel Rivals has a concurrent player count of over 466,000 on Steam. Overwatch 2 has under 30,000. Even adjusting for the fact that these games have peak player counts at different times of the day, it’s very clear that Rivals is unequivocally the more popular game right now.
Yes, it’s still the shiny new thing on the block, but the all-time peak numbers are magnitudes higher than Overwatch 2’s as well – over 644,000 for Rivals, and nearly 76,000 for Overwatch 2. Numbers-wise, Marvel Rivals has eaten Overwatch 2’s lunch.
But Numbers Alone Don’t Make An Overwatch-Killer
To use the phrase Overwatch-killer is to imply that Overwatch 2 will die because of Marvel Rivals, that its players will jump ship en masse and stop playing Overwatch 2 entirely. As far as we can tell, this isn’t the case, at least not yet. OW2 still has a consistent player base, with numbers that are nothing to turn our noses up at, either.
That said, the player countsaredeclining. Numbers have been trending consistently downwards since November 11, even after the launch of season 14. There’s no way to say if this has anything to do with Rivals, which launched on December 6, because there’s really only so much you may glean from graphs apart from the fact that yes, fewer people are playing OW2 now.
It could be Marvel Rivals, but it could also be that players aregenerally dissatisfiedwith how the game has evolved since its launch – its relationship with its player base isn’t great. That said, Rivals has been trying to fill the gaps that Overwatch 2 players have been complaining about forever – the game has more backstory and lore in-game, a streamer mode, andbanned Ximming. Itreleases new characters at a breakneck pacethat most games, OW2 included, can’t match.It might even have a PvE mode in development, which OW2 has neglected to add despite players desperately wanting one.
I will say that it’s probably not a good thing if Marvel Rivalsdoesactually kill OW2. There needs to be competition in the industry, otherwise you get games likeThe Simsthat shamelessly squeeze money out of their players because there’s nowhere else for them to go. While NetEase is doing a good job of building rapport with its community and responding to common complaints quickly and effectively, it faces less pressure to form the game to player’s needs if there’s no substantial competition.
Overwatch 2 isn’t dead just yet, and that’s a good thing. Whether that continues to be the case is yet to be seen, but I hope it does.
Marvel Rivals
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!A Deep and Varied Marvel RosterChoose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game DynamicsWith intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there’s never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.Dynamic Hero SynergyCoordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot’s back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man’s armor for massive damage, and so much more!Creative Environment DestructionTear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch UpdatesThe Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
