Hero shooter Marvel Rivals made an explosive debut in December 2024. With its vibrant roster of Marvel heroes, 6v6 competitive gameplay, and appeal to both Overwatch 2 veterans and new players alike, the game initially looked like the next big thing in the hero shooter genre.
But now, just a few months later, the numbers tell a very different story. According to SteamDB, the Marvel Rivals player count is dropping sharply month-over-month, with over half a million players lost since its January peak.
📈 From Instant Hit to Declining Giant
Marvel Rivals reached its all-time high of 644,269 concurrent players on Steam in January 2025—a remarkable feat that had many believing the game would have long-term staying power. However, those expectations have been challenged as the game continues to bleed players each month:
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February 2025: Down 32.0%, losing 206,354 players
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March 2025: Down another 33.7%
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April 2025: Brief rebound with an 8.6% gain
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May 2025 (last 30 days): Dropped again by 37.0%
As of the latest 24-hour peak, the game sits at just 133,416 concurrent players, a steep fall from its January high.
⚠️ Why Is Marvel Rivals Losing Players?
Several factors may be contributing to the ongoing decline:
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Content Drought
A lack of fresh content and new characters has left many players feeling like there’s not enough reason to return. -
Balance Issues
Player feedback consistently points to overpowered heroes and frustrating match dynamics. -
Technical Problems
Bugs, performance issues, and server lag have been frequently cited on community forums. -
Fierce Competition
Marvel Rivals is up against genre heavyweights like Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, and Valorant, all of which continue to innovate and engage players. -
Live-Service Fatigue
With so many live-service games on the market, players are becoming increasingly selective about where they invest their time.
💬 Don’t Panic Yet — There’s Still Hope
Despite the concerning numbers, it’s important to remember that Marvel Rivals is still one of the most-played hero shooters on Steam today. While the decline is steep, it doesn’t spell death—yet. Developers have opportunities to regain momentum through:
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Seasonal events and limited-time modes
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Better balancing and gameplay adjustments
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Community engagement and transparency
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New hero reveals and crossovers
If the dev team can respond quickly with a roadmap that excites fans, Marvel Rivals may yet recover from its mid-2025 slump.
The Marvel Rivals player count dropping so dramatically is a wake-up call, not a death sentence. It shows that even beloved IPs and strong launches can’t guarantee lasting success without consistent support and innovation. With the right changes, Marvel Rivals still has the potential to stay in the fight.