A recent report reveals that nearly half of the players who left Overwatch 2 in December 2024 found a new home in Marvel Rivals. While it was already suspected that Marvel Rivals might be luring away Blizzard’s user base, this report offers concrete evidence of the extent of its impact.
Leading up to its December 2024 debut, Marvel Rivals was surrounded by an extraordinary buzz. This game, like Overwatch 2, is a team-based hero shooter, inevitably drawing parallels between the two. However, NetEase, the developer, aimed to carve out a distinct niche by capitalizing on the Marvel franchise’s massive appeal. They delivered character interpretations from the comics that fans couldn’t resist, which catapulted Marvel Rivals into the spotlight, pulling in massive numbers on platforms such as Steam.
As detailed by Insider Gaming, a comprehensive industry report by NewZoo sheds light on Marvel Rivals’ explosive launch and its consequential hit on Overwatch 2. The findings emphasized that 45% of the players who exited Overwatch 2 in December made their way to Marvel Rivals, significantly driving the latter’s player count at launch. The data indicated that Marvel Rivals was not just among the year’s popular titles but specifically ranked as the eighth most-played game on Steam for 2024. It also stood as the third most-engaged title debuting that year, following Helldivers 2 and Palworld—both of which had head starts earlier in the year.
Overwatch 2’s Decline in Part Driven by Marvel Rivals
The NewZoo report not only highlights Marvel Rivals’ success but also underscores the struggles faced by Overwatch 2. During 2024, Overwatch 2 saw its overall playtime decline by 8% among free-to-play titles. Moreover, despite the nostalgic Overwatch Classic event, the game’s ability to hold players’ interest waned, resulting in a striking 26% dip in daily active user engagement. This decline aligned closely with the launch of Marvel Rivals, an event that took place just a few days after the Classic event concluded.
Looking forward to what 2025 will bring for Marvel Rivals, the game seems poised to continue riding the wave of its successful introduction. Despite releasing in the latter part of 2024, its boost to the free-to-play gaming space was significant. To sustain its appeal and keep its community thriving, Marvel Rivals will need to maintain its current momentum. NetEase seems up to the task, with the imminent launch of Season 2 which promises to introduce new heroes at a quicker pace. We’ll have to wait and see if this strategy will help Marvel Rivals remain a top contender on player lists throughout the entirety of 2025.
