Is Overwatch 2 Dying in 2024?

Nov 3

Is Overwatch 2 dying? The answer is…

Not even close. If anything, it’s just finding its groove.

Let me explain:

I’ve been around since the original Overwatch launch, riding every wave of excitement and frustration alongside the community. The sequel’s launch last year might have been rocky, but that hasn’t stopped the game from finding its footing and, in many ways, improving. Despite the criticism, Overwatch 2 is alive and kicking, with millions logging in daily to experience the thrill of competitive matches, new heroes, and ambitious events.

Player Base and Growth

Look, if the game were truly “dying,” you wouldn’t see over 35 million players diving in during the first month alone, easily smashing the original game’s early numbers. Since then, Overwatch 2 hasn’t exactly slowed down. We’re talking about a player base surpassing 100 million across both games, and it’s still growing. Blizzard has poured resources into Overwatch 2, banking on its ability to keep us hooked, and it’s working. Recent figures estimate around 6.2 million daily players, with almost 23 million active users in the past month. That’s hardly the stat sheet of a dead game.

The Financial Momentum

Let’s talk money. Love it or hate it, Overwatch 2 has drawn in a staggering amount of in-game spending. In just two weeks after launch, it generated around $100 million—just from cosmetics and battle passes alone. Fast-forward to January 2024, and the game had already hit $225 million in revenue. That’s 130% above what analysts predicted. People don’t drop that kind of cash on a game unless they’re invested, and that cash flow ensures Blizzard has the resources to keep refining and expanding the game.

The Steam Launch: A New Surge of Interest

When Overwatch 2 hit Steam in August 2024, the impact was immediate. The game saw a massive surge in interest, with its average player count jumping nearly 18% that month alone, reaching over 34,600 players on Steam alone. This boost was more than a one-time spike; in September, Overwatch 2 set a record with an average of 35,406 players and a peak concurrent count of 59,499. For a game years into its life cycle, those numbers tell us that there’s still real enthusiasm and fresh blood entering the community.

Though the player base saw a slight dip in October, dropping to an average of 34,339 with peak numbers around 58,217, the stats are impressively stable. This isn’t a game on the decline; it’s a testament to the staying power that Blizzard has cultivated, especially by making the game more accessible on platforms like Steam.

We do think its worth noting though that the vast majority of players play on the Battlenet launcher, and it is almost impossible to calculate the number of console players as well.

Content That Keeps Us Coming Back

And what keeps us here? The content. Blizzard’s approach with Overwatch 2 has been like turning pages in a book you can’t put down, and the gameplay is admittedly unmatched with competitors like Paladins losing a significant portion of their playerbase. They’re giving us steady updates that feel fresh without forcing an overhaul. New heroes like Illari and Juno bring mechanics we haven’t seen before, while unique maps add layers of strategy to explore and figure out as you play. Plus, collaborations—such as the Overwatch 2 x Transformers event—are surprising enough to make us feel like kids opening a new toy every time we log in.

It doesn’t stop at casual play. Blizzard's commitment to the esports scene is stronger than ever despite some hiccups. In 2024, the upcoming Overwatch Champions Series is set to reinvigorate the competitive side, bringing together the community and pro players in a way that we haven’t seen since the early days of the Overwatch League. The hype is real, and the competitive circuit is going to be explosive.

Why Overwatch 2 Isn’t Going Anywhere

Overwatch 2 has had its missteps, but so did the original, and so do so many other games out there. This isn’t a game that dies quietly; it’s built a community of passionate players who love to argue, cheer, and keep coming back for one more match. It’s not just a game; it’s a culture, a battleground, and a test of patience that fans have come to embrace.

Maybe Overwatch 2 hasn’t reached its full potential, but it's clear that Blizzard is still investing in it, and so are the players. This game still has chapters to write, battles to win, and highlights to capture. So, no, Overwatch 2 isn’t dead. Not even close. The fight has only just begun.