Overwatch 2 player numbers have surged on Steam ahead of the upcoming Reign of Talon expansion set for release on February 10, 2026. Recent stats show around 70,000 concurrent players, nearing its launch numbers from August 2023. Despite being ranked 39th on Steam's Most Played list, the game remains more popular on Battle.net, indicating a higher overall player base. This release marks a significant relaunch for Overwatch 2, renaming it simply to Overwatch and introducing five new heroes, with plans for more expansions in the future. The update aims to revitalize the game after its controversial transition from Overwatch 1 and struggles to maintain player engagement.

Why have player numbers for Overwatch 2 increased right before the Reign of Talon expansion?

The increase can be attributed to renewed interest as Blizzard prepares for the major expansion, marking a relaunch for the game with new content and features that promise to enhance gameplay and draw back former players.

Overwatch, developed by Blizzard Entertainment, launched its sequel in 2023 after a year of early access and has since transitioned to a free-to-play model. This update is intended to address earlier concerns by restoring popular game modes and improving the overall gameplay experience. The series is known for its diverse characters and strategic team-based gameplay, making it a staple in the hero shooter genre.