Game developer and publisher Blizzard Entertainment announced the new “Reign of Talon” update for “Overwatch” on Feb. 4, to be released on Feb. 10. This update finally breaks the mold of slow content releases for the game and takes “Overwatch” into a new direction.
However, I think this sudden shift in content release can be directly attributed to one of its greatest competitors last year, “Marvel Rivals.”
When NetEase Games announced its own hero shooter game to add to the market, released in December 2024, many “Overwatch” players migrated to the new game. “Overwatch 2,” as it was called then, had been in a content and balancing dry spell ever since it rebranded itself in 2022. So, when players like me saw the fresh and risk-taking “Marvel Rivals,” we were excited to try it.
“Overwatch” was always the staple, competitive hero shooter, where each player helps the team with the ability to capture objectives. “Marvel Rivals” uses a similar format, except the heroes you choose are iconic Marvel characters like Loki, Captain America and Black Widow.
So, while “Overwatch” wallowed in its mediocrity, “Marvel Rivals” blew up in popularity, player numbers peaking at over 444,000 players; about six times as many as “Overwatch’s.” The gameplay was similar to the old style of “Overwatch,” bringing back the six-player teams and taking more risks like including portals and infinitely flying characters.
After the first season of “Rivals,” initial hype for the game died down, causing its player count to decrease and placing both games at a similar player count.
NetEase’s content release schedule for “Marvel Rivals” far outpaced Blizzard’s “Overwatch” though. In 2025, “Marvel Rivals” introduced 12 new heroes, releasing two heroes every season, and four for Season 1. But “Overwatch” only released three new heroes, one every other season. So, if a player wanted a steadier stream of new playable content, “Rivals” seemed more tempting.
However, “Overwatch” is about to change its long-standing model by promising a release of 10 new heroes this year, with five of them dropping today. Some of these heroes are long-awaited heroes teased many years ago like Jetpack Cat and Emre. I believe they are doing this as a direct result of the breakneck content pace of “Marvel Rivals.”
I was a longtime “Overwatch” player, mainly before “Overwatch 2” was released. I was also one of those players who abandoned “Overwatch” for “Marvel Rivals” when it was released, and I still play the game quite a bit. So, I’m a bit impressed by the lengths that “Overwatch” is going to regain its spot as lead hero shooter game.
Will I return to “Overwatch?” It’s hard to say. I play “Marvel Rivals” quite competitively in the game’s own competitive mode as well as on an eSports team, so I don’t see myself dropping the game anytime soon. But I might download “Overwatch” just to see how the new heroes play, and if it recaptures my attention.
Overall, I am excited for what this update will mean for both games. Instead of letting “Marvel Rivals” win the marketing war and continue as the better hero shooter game, “Overwatch” is fighting back. And in my opinion, competition in the market will only make both games work harder to be the best they can be.
While I think “Marvel Rivals” is already in an incredible state, I think this “Overwatch” update pressure will prevent them from losing momentum in the years to come. NetEase, just please give me Mystique and my life will be yours.
