Marvel Rivals’ Player Count Dominance Has Probably Influenced Blizzard to Revisit 6v6 Matches Once Again
It has been a very 50/50 year for live service games with some titles seeing unprecedented success, and others flopping. But while the success of titles like Helldivers 2 and Palworld is commendable, the failure of titles like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Concord have been the biggest the industry has seen.
And in the middle of this uncertainty, Marvel Rivals has emerged as a shining success. Developed by NetEase, this new 6v6 hero shooter featuring iconic Marvel characters has gotten 20 million players within the first month of its release. While it’s being called an Overwatch killer, Blizzard is already taking notes to implement into Overwatch 2.
Marvel Rivals is now teaching Overwatch a lesson
NetEase Games’ Marvel Rivals has achieved what many live-service games aspire to: widespread acclaim and an enormous player base. By combining Marvel’s iconic IP with hero shooter mechanics, it taps into both a proven gaming formula and a beloved franchise. Players have praised its accessibility, vibrant art style, and gameplay.
In what feels like a response to Marvel Rivals’ dominance, Blizzard has reintroduced 6v6 gameplay to Overwatch 2 as part of a limited-time experiment. The original Overwatch gained a massive following with its structured 2-2-2 team format, but the shift to 5v5 in Overwatch 2 left some players yearning for the old dynamics.
After playing 6v6 pugs I can confidently say this is how Overwatch is meant to be played. Tank is so much harder but so much more enjoyable. I feel like there's so much to learn again. I pray 6v6 comes back to ranked and competitive play very soon.
— Iron (@iron_overwatch) December 17, 2024
💖 We are thrilled to announce that 20 million players have joined Marvel Rivals! Our gratitude for each of you is immense!
— Marvel Rivals (@MarvelRivals) December 17, 2024
🥰The spray is ready now, and we also included this number in the spray! Thank you for helping us achieve this milestone.
⏲️Log in from December 20th,… pic.twitter.com/tr0k6NYZ95
The new 6v6 mode, available until January 6, 2025, combines classic team compositions with updated abilities and rebalanced heroes. This experiment not only aims to rekindle nostalgia but could also serve as a litmus test for future permanent changes. It wouldn’t be too bad for a veteran like Overwatch to learn from the new kid on the block.
It’s been an educational year for the live service genre
For Blizzard, Marvel Rivals’ popularity represents both inspiration and competition. Hero shooters are still a popular sub-genre within the live service genre, and Overwatch 2 has faced criticism in the last few years because of changes that have alienated the community. The 6v6 experiment may be Blizzard’s attempt to reclaim its position by listening to player feedback.
The success of Marvel Rivals contrasts sharply with the struggles of other live-service titles in 2024. Games like XDefiant and Suicide Squad failed to maintain momentum despite high-profile launches and are both shutting down in 2025. Concord was such a big failure it got pulled out of the market before being out for a month. Marvel Rivals has been a breath of fresh air.
The difference in community reception for Marvel Rivals and other failed live service games is also a turning point for the genre. Developers are beginning to adopt a more cautious approach, focusing on quality and originality rather than chasing trends. For Blizzard, the success of Marvel Rivals is a reminder of the importance of player-centric design.
Do you agree? Have you played either of these games this year? Let us know your thoughts!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
