Overwatch 2 is facing challenges as Marvel Rivals gains popularity. Despite being labeled a mere ‘copy’ by Blizzard’s former president, Marvel Rivals has attracted a large player base. In its first 72 hours, it amassed over 10 million players.

This surge has impacted Overwatch 2’s player numbers. On Steam, Overwatch 2’s concurrent players dropped to 16,919, marking its lowest point since launching on the platform. In contrast, Marvel Rivals peaked at 480,990 concurrent players, surpassing Overwatch 2’s all-time high of 75,608.

The trend extends to streaming platforms. At one point, Marvel Rivals had over 170,000 live viewers on Twitch, while Overwatch 2 had about 6,400.

Overwatch 2 hits its lowest player count on Steam following release of Marvel Rivals pic.twitter.com/AkgkNtbNeb

— Dexerto (@Dexerto) December 10, 2024

Overwatch 2’s Season 14 update, featuring a new hero, aims to re-engage players. However, Marvel Rivals’ strong start presents a significant challenge.

The gaming landscape is dynamic, and player preferences can shift rapidly. Overwatch 2’s upcoming content may attract players back, but Marvel Rivals’ early success indicates a competitive environment.

In summary, Overwatch 2 is experiencing a decline in player engagement as Marvel Rivals emerges as a formidable competitor in the hero shooter genre.

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