Overwatch 2 Dev Blizzard Welcomes Marvel Rivals Competition, Says It’s Never Faced Another Game ‘So Similar to the One We've Created’

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 utilizing Marvel characters in a gameplay structure remarkably similar to Blizzard's creation. Both are free-to-play, live-service titles relying 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 narrative suggests NetEase's title is actively drawing players away from Blizzard's game.

In a recent GamesRadar interview, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller addressed this new competitive landscape, acknowledging the unprecedented challenge posed by a directly comparable game attracting tens of millions of players.

Overwatch 2's Response

4 Images

Keller described the situation as "exciting," praising Marvel Rivals for taking established Overwatch concepts in "a different direction." However, he also admitted that Marvel Rivals' success has prompted a significant shift in Blizzard's approach to Overwatch 2, declaring that "this is no longer about playing it safe."

This shift translates into radical changes planned 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 in revitalizing Overwatch 2 remains to be seen. Almost nine years after the original Overwatch's 2016 debut, and two and a half years since Overwatch 2's launch, Blizzard doesn't publicly release player numbers. However, Steam's concurrent player count for Overwatch 2 is at its lowest point since its 2023 release on the platform, peaking at 37,046 in the last 24 hours. In contrast, Marvel Rivals remains a Steam top 10 title, boasting a 24-hour peak of 310,287 concurrent players.

Overwatch 2 currently holds a "mostly negative" user review rating on Steam, reaching the dubious distinction of being Steam's worst-reviewed game 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, fueled negative player sentiment.

IGN offers further coverage of Marvel Rivals, including developer statements on datamining and potential Nintendo Switch 2 development.