Overwatch 2 (now just back to Overwatch) just recorded its biggest Steam concurrent player peak since Blizzard brought the game to Valve’s platform in 2023. The spike pushed the hero shooter above major competitors like Battlefield and Call of Duty on Steam’s player rankings.
The game hit roughly 65,000 concurrent players on Steam. That’s notable because it shows renewed momentum after a rocky stretch for the free-to-play shooter.
Steam numbers only tell part of the story. Most PC players still launch through Battle.net, and console populations aren’t reflected in these figures at all. But Steam data matters because it’s public and easy to track. When a live-service game gains ground on Steam, it signals growing interest.
The spike comes right before a massive seasonal update dropping this week. Players are reinstalling to check out what’s coming. Blizzard is rolling out role subclasses that give different passives based on your hero type. The update also expands 6v6 modes alongside the standard 5v5 format.
That 6v6 addition is huge for players who left after Overwatch 2 switched from 6v6 to 5v5. The format change was one of the most divisive decisions Blizzard made with the sequel. Now both options exist, giving players more choice.
Multiple new heroes are expected in the pipeline. The update also features new modes and gameplay refreshes. Some players mentioned a stadium mode with MOBA-style power selections that’s getting expanded features.
Blizzard added loot boxes back into the game after initially removing them. Players say it’s easier to earn skins through gameplay now compared to earlier seasons. The monetization tweaks seem to be landing better with the community.
Competition might be helping too. Marvel Rivals launched recently as another hero shooter. Some players tried it and came back to Overwatch 2, saying the original feels more polished in hectic team fights.
There’s also talk that Blizzard might drop the “2” from the title and just call it Overwatch again. Steam still lists it as Overwatch 2 for now, but that could change with the next season.
The current peak sits below the 75,000 concurrent users the game hit right after launching on Steam. That early spike was inflated by players downloading the game specifically to leave negative reviews. The new peak represents actual player interest rather than review bombing.
If the Tuesday update lands well, Overwatch 2 could surpass that 75k mark. Players who checked out the game over the weekend reported having fun even after years away. That returning-player momentum could build if the new season delivers.
