Former Overwatch Players Allegedly Transition to Marvel Rivals

A recent study highlighted that a significant portion of Overwatch 2 gamers who left the game in December 2024 found a new home in Marvel Rivals. This shift was somewhat anticipated among players, but the report now clarifies just how notable it was.

The anticipation for Marvel Rivals before its December 2024 launch was tremendous. Both are team-based hero shooters, so comparisons with Overwatch 2 were inevitable. However, NetEase opted to set its game apart by tapping into the massive fanbase of Marvel, offering engaging takes on beloved comic characters. This strategy paid off as Marvel Rivals not only met expectations but surpassed them, amassing a large player base on platforms like Steam.

The new findings, mentioned by Insider Gaming, originate from NewZoo’s detailed analysis of the gaming market. Their report claims that 45% of Overwatch 2 defectors from December 2024 transitioned to Marvel Rivals. These players contributed to the remarkable levels of growth that Marvel Rivals witnessed during its introduction. The report highlights Marvel Rivals as one of the most popular games of the year, securing a spot as the eighth most-played game on Steam for 2024. Within games released in the same year, it ranked third, behind only Helldivers 2 and Palworld, which had more time to build up their player bases.

Moving on, it’s clear that Marvel Rivals’ success is partly responsible for the downturn Overwatch 2 has experienced. According to the report, Overwatch 2 faced an 8% reduction in its share of free-to-play playtime throughout 2024. Even with temporary boosts like the Overwatch Classic event, which spiked player interest momentarily, daily user engagement eventually dropped by 26%. This decline happened to align with the launch of Marvel Rivals, just days after the Overwatch event ended.

What’s intriguing is the trajectory for Marvel Rivals in 2025. It’s evident from NewZoo’s report that the game played a crucial role in boosting the free-to-play gaming segment in 2024, despite its late debut. Yet, the real test lies in maintaining this momentum. Fortunately, with the impending Season 2, NetEase has plans to release heroes more frequently, which might keep them at the forefront of gaming lists as the year progresses. However, only time can tell if this strategy keeps the players hooked.