DexertoMarvel Rivals has lost more than half its players since January, raising questions about the game’s future.
When Marvel Rivals launched in December 2024, it quickly became one of 2025’s biggest success stories. The game skyrocketed to over 10 million players in 72 hours, driven by the irresistible combo of Marvel’s legendary heroes and a free-to-play model.
On January 11, it hit an all-time high on Steam with 644,269 concurrent players, making it the top hero shooter, outpacing Overwatch 2 and The Finals.
Fast-forward to May, and those impressive numbers have fallen off a cliff. On Steamdb, Marvel Rivals’ peak player count has plummeted 56.2% since January, dropping by a staggering 362,000 players. As of the latest data, the peak sits at just 282,000 players, showing how quickly the game’s momentum has sputtered out.
SteamdbThe snap that hurt Marvel Rivals
So, what happened? Well, it’s not a mystery. Several factors are likely at play, including the controversial Season 2 changes.
First, the meta shift left players frustrated. Heroes like Doctor Strange and Magneto got nerfed, while less popular ones like Hulk and Thor received buffs, shifting team dynamics in a way that alienated some of the core player base. There’s also the removal of beloved team-up abilities like “Metallic Chaos” (Magneto and Scarlet Witch) and “Chilling Charisma” (Luna and Namor), so it’s no surprise players felt the sting.
The issues weren’t just gameplay. The Strategist role saw its value questioned, causing unrest within the community and even leading to a community strike. The Season 2 content offering felt underwhelming compared to the explosive launch of Season 1, with four new characters.
Still, Marvel Rivals is not dead. The game remains popular, especially with Ultron’s arrival on the horizon. But if Season 2’s changes fail to reignite excitement, Marvel Rivals’ player count could dip even further.
