Overwatch 2 continues to enjoy a dedicated and sizable player base, even after the debut of Marvel Rivals, the new hero shooter that’s been making waves. While Blizzard’s flagship game isn’t entirely overshadowed, the exodus of its top streamers has left a noticeable dent in its Twitch viewership. Peak numbers for Overwatch 2 have dropped by half in just one month.
New Hero and Events Fail to Bolster Numbers
Adding to the challenge is that this decline coincided with the launch of Hazard, Overwatch 2’s newest hero, who was released in December. Despite positive reception and the arrival of Season 14, Hazard’s debut and the new season as a whole have been largely overshadowed by the immense buzz surrounding Marvel Rivals.
Even limited-time events like the Avatar: The Last Airbender crossover and free Winter event skins haven’t been enough to keep Overwatch 2’s audience engaged. Although the game still maintains a loyal core of streamers, Marvel Rivals’ impact is most evident in the steep drop in Twitch viewership.
Marvel Rivals Dominates Overwatch 2 on Twitch
A dip in Overwatch 2’s viewership following Marvel Rivals’ launch was inevitable. With so much initial excitement surrounding the new game, many content creators understandably shifted their focus to capitalize on its popularity.
However, a month after its release, Marvel Rivals continues to dominate, and many of Overwatch’s top streamers have yet to return to Blizzard’s title.
The statistics highlight just how drastic the shift has been.
- Average Viewership: Overwatch 2’s average viewers dropped from 28,000 in November to 18,000 in December, representing a significant decline.
- Peak Viewership: The game’s peak numbers saw an even more dramatic fall, plummeting from 125,000 to 64,000. Without Twitch drops boosting
- viewership in December, the numbers could have been even lower.
A Tough Road Ahead for Overwatch 2
Although Overwatch 2 still boasts a loyal fan base, its Twitch performance reflects a significant challenge for Blizzard. With Marvel Rivals continuing to hold players’ attention, Blizzard will need to step up efforts to recapture the spotlight and reinvigorate its streaming community.
Whether through innovative new content, improved events, or another major update, Overwatch 2 must find ways to stay competitive in an increasingly crowded hero shooter landscape.
