Overwatch 2

When is Overwatch 2 coming out? That question is stilled marred in mystery, but a recent update from Blizzard suggests we'll get to play the PvP portion of Overwatch 2 relatively soon. Thanks to a behind-the-scenes talk during BlizzCon 2021, though, we do at least know a bit more about what's to come in Overwatch 2. It's a bizarre sequel, with some of its new game modes and heroes also coming to Overwatch 1.

Blizzard's goal is for both games to coexist. Whether you're planning on picking up Overwatch 2 or sticking with the first game, you'll be able to play alongside players from both in PvP modes. That said, Overwatch 2 will primarily focus on PvE story missions. Following their successful character cinematics, which have consistently proved to be big hits with the community, expect to see a heavier focus on cool environments and lore in this game.

When is Overwatch 2's release date?

At BlizzCon 2019, Blizzard said that Overwatch 2 is still early in development and isn't sure when it will release. "I don't know. I have no idea," former game director Jeff Kaplan said at the reveal panel. "Like, just let us make it great, that's what we care about more than anything. We don't have a date in mind."

We had our eyes set on 2022, but if that was Blizzard's plan, it's not happening anymore. Alongside its November 2021 quarterly earnings call, Blizzard released a statement that Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 have both been delayed.

A 2023 release now looks likely, but Blizzard recently decided to "decouple" the PvP portion of the game from PvE, suggesting new maps, modes, and heroes could come sooner than we thought.

Overwatch 2's first closed beta is kicking off in late April. You can sign up for right here. The beta will include a lot of new stuff that has previously only been seen in showcase videos:

New Damage Hero: Sojourn

New Game Mode: Push

5v5 Multiplayer

Hero Reworks

4 New Maps

Blizzard is splitting up PvP and PvE in Overwatch 2 :

It was always the plan for Overwatch 2's new modes, maps, and heroes to come to the original game as a free update, but Blizzard has now decided that Overwatch 2's PvP will split from PvE and release at different times. Blizzard is making this changed so it can release new stuff "sooner," and this begins with an Overwatch 2 closed beta that starts in April.

Does this mean Overwatch 2 will release in some form in 2022? That much isn't clear, but since it seems like PvE is taking longer than expected, the new PvP additions now have more room to breath.

What does the Microsoft purchase mean for Overwatch 2?

In case the internet has been out for you and you missed the news that Microsoft is acquiring Activision Blizzard in their quest to assemble video-game-developer-Voltron, well, it's happening. When it comes to Overwatch 2, though, what this means is still uncertain.

It's unlikely we'll see much in the way of effects for awhile, since Overwatch 2 is slated for 2023, and the deal itself hasn't been finalized yet. But it's likely we'll get some commentary on all the big Blizzard projects once the deal turns over, much like any kid—enormous-corporate-conglomerate or small—Microsoft will want to play with their new toys.

Competitive teams will use a build of Overwatch 2 in 2022 :

We don't know much about the 2022 season of the Overwatch League just yet, but we do know that competitive players will be using an "early build" of Overwatch 2 in 2022. Blizzard confirmed this is still the plan despite Overwatch 2's delay. The season is set to begin sometime in April 2022, meaning that the sequel will be out in the wild, albeit in an extremely limited fashion, in the first half of next year.

What we learned at BlizzCon 2021 :

We saw two new maps (New York & Rome)

New changes are coming to Tanks to make them play like "toe-to-toe bralwers"

We got a good look at Sojourn's weapon, an assault rifle/railgun combo that looks very satisfying

Blizzard is experimenting with "role passive" bonuses that would help differentiate Overwatch's three core roles