NetEase expresses confidence that the gaming market can sustain both Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2. They recently announced a renewed agreement with Blizzard to bring back Overwatch 2 in China, which was previously unavailable due to contract issues. A NetEase representative mentioned,

“The expectations for Overwatch are similar to those for World of Warcraft and Hearthstone. The aim is to revitalize the product and reach new highs. Both Marvel Rivals and Overwatch are excellent superhero shooters, and the market is large enough to accommodate both games. NetEase will strive to meet the diverse demands of their respective player communities.”

Comparisons have been drawn between both games, particularly regarding hero abilities. Notably, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra noted that there are similarities in character design, provoking discussions in the gaming community. However, NetEase’s intention is to differentiate both experiences, with Marvel Rivals offering a more chaotic gameplay style compared to the competitive nature of Overwatch 2.

Currently, both games are thriving, with Overwatch 2 recently achieving a ‘Mixed’ rating on Steam after updates that improved the gameplay experience. Meanwhile, Marvel Rivals maintains a robust player base with an average of around 300,000 players.