Overwatch 2 director claims Marvel Rivals’ massive success isn’t the reason for its recent huge updates

The massive success of Marvel Rivals immediately caused Overwatch developer Blizzard to rethink its post-launch plans as the hero shooter created a “new competitive landscape”. Since then, Bluzzard has created a third-person Stadium mode and other additions that feel like direct responses to Rivals’ success.

However, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller claims that not every addition to the game since Rivals’ release isn’t entirely due to the Marvel multiplayer game. However, the added competition does mean that Blizzard has to be better with its updates to retain its player base.

Marvel Rivals isn’t behind every Overwatch 2 change

Speaking to Overwatch 2 livestreamer Jay3, Keller explained that Marvel Rivals is forcing Blizzard to think differently than they did before.

“I think that competition is healthy. It does force people to innovate more and to always be putting your best foot forward, but I don’t think what you’re seeing in Overwatch 2 right now is a response to Marvel Rivals,” Keller explained, via GameSpot.

Keller explained that Overwatch 2’s recent changes were in the works for a long time with some maybe even in development before Rivals’ release late last year.

“So much of what we were doing this year–from perks to Stadium to map voting, we did full hero bans–so much of what we’re doing here and all the heroes we’re releasing has been in the works for over a year as part of a new strategy for the game to have a big annual kick off to the year,” they explained.

It’s clear that the massive success of Marvel Rivals has shaken the Overwatch 2 team since its release. Huge updates for Blizzard’s hero shooter have released at a much faster pace since Rivals’ launch, and it’s clear that some updates are at least inspired by the massive success of NetEase’s Marvel game.

For more Rivals coverage, read about how NetEase is allowed to adapt any character in the comics’ 85-year history, as well as their plans to address player voting in the future. Additionally, listen to our interview with the game’s original director Thaddeus Sasser from just before launch.

Overwatch 2

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  Platform(s):
  Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
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  Genre(s):
  Action, Shooter