Game Overview:
Overwatch 2 is a first person hero shooter developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment.
It expands on the team-based competitive multiplayer of its predecessor, while also adding PvE content and story-based missions.
Echo will no longer revert to their original form when duplicating Junkrat during RIP-Tire, while several bugs for Symmetra are also fixed.
Director Aaron Keller will get balance information out "on or before my next update," with big issues fixed before the mid-season patch.
The sequel also delivered the "highest quarterly figures for player numbers and hours played" yet with a "strong start" to player investment.
Mercy's Guardian Angel cooldown has increased while her healing has reduced. However, she gets a new passive ability and other changes.
New skins for Reaper, Moira and Junkrat are included in the Battle Pass with Amaterasu Kiriko when the new season launches February 7th.
Map Pools could return in the "far future," says game director Aaron Keller, though they would rotate faster, "potentially every week."
Antarctic Peninsula is the first new Control map since Busan was released in 2018. It has frozen caverns, penguins, and more.
Players can purchase Epic and Legendary skins from before the sequel's launch with Overwatch Credits at all times when Season 3 drops.
Season 3 will feature changes to matchmaking, Ranked play and much more when it goes live next week for all platforms.
There will also be a mid-season update to provide viewable progress towards a player's next Rank update in the user interface.
Next season to introduce a change to address the lack of rewards, though game director Aaron Keller assures this is only the "first step."
The Support hero's supposed Legendary skin is the first cosmetic to be revealed for Season 3, which could start next month.
The infamous off-tank should no longer be able to one-shot full-health heroes, while Orisa receives a nerf to survivability.
Blizzard is kicking off the Lunar New Year event for Overwatch 2, bringing with it cosmetic rewards and arcade brawls.
The team was previously exploring changes to the Battle Pass, more "interesting' Challenges," and "exciting play-focused progression systems."
The recent balance patch was light due to some changes being "pulled forward to the mid-December patch," says director Aaron Keller.
Available until January 19th, the limited-time event sees Greek mythology versions of select heroes fighting in a free-for-all deathmatch.
The limited-time mode starts January 5th and features seven heroes competing in a free-for-all deathmatch with unique powers.
There's finally a new Legendary Skin that everyone can pick up for practically free. The offer is valid until January 3rd, 2023.
Roadhog changes aren't live due to a "technical issue" with the hotfix. More updates will be available in a "future patch."
New seasonal Brawls like Freeze Thaw, Yeti Hunter, Snowball Deathmatch, and Mei's Snowball Offensive are available in Arcade Mode.
The development team could look to rein in Sojourn further while adjusting the viability and power of Doomfist and Roadhog.
Other heroes like Symmetra, Bastion, Junker Queen, Tracer, Sojourn, and Ana have seen some adjustments. Hero Challenges are also live.
Ramattra joins the roster as the latest Tank. A new Escort Map and Battle Pass are also available, along with new cosmetics.
The decision was made after "reviewing data for Season 1," as per game director Aaron Keller, and some weekly challenges will be easier.
Winter Wonderland is on December 13th, followed by Battle for Olympus on January 5th, 2023. Lunar New Year returns on January 17th, 2023.
Other heroes like Mercy, Bastion, Ana, Kiriko, Symmetra, Junker Queen, and Sojourn are also getting adjustments on December 6th.
Various heroes get new Greek mythology-themed skins. The Christmas event also adds new skins for Bastion, Echo, Brigitte, and Mei.
Lead concept artist Qiu Fang discusses the Tempo Tank, who closes the distance in Omnic form and activates Nemesis for close-range damage.
As long as Annihilation is tethered to a nearby enemy, the Ultimate can keep going, and Ramattra can keep punching enemies.
Attack from afar in Omnic form, or go into Nemesis form and punch foes, block damage, and reduce enemy damage with Annihilation.
Create barriers and slow enemies from afar, then go into Nemesis form and bash them into oblivion with Season 2's new Tank.
Players will receive highlight intros for Junker Queen and Kiriko when logging in over the next week. Black Friday deals are also live.
Season 2's gameplay trailer and content roadmap will be revealed on November 27th, while the new map reveal is coming on December 2nd.
Game director Aaron Keller says the team isn't planning to disable the hero and will "also look at additional changes to her kit to compensate."
A deeper dive into complaints with Ranked play, like unexpected rank changes, the rate of feedback, and more, is also coming soon.
More "exciting play-focused progression systems" and "interesting" Challenges are also planned, says executive producer Jared Neuss.
Overwatch 2 has finally gotten its mid-season update, bringing back Mei to the roster alongside a healthy serving of balance updates.
Overwatch 2's Mei will continue to remain disabled while Blizzard sorts out a critical issue that it discovered "at the 11th hour".
Activision Blizzard has revealed that Overwatch 2's first month has been quite successful, seeing over 35 million players pretty quickly.
The new hero is a Tank and will be available when Season 2 begins on December 6th. A new map, Mythic Skin, and more are also coming.
Bugs with Ice Wall allowed heroes to reach "unintended locations" with their abilities. It's the second time a hero has been disabled in the sequel.
Sombra's Hack will become less oppressive, Zarya's Barrier duration has been reduced, D.Va's Booster impact damage is going down, and more.
Control maps not correctly transitioning to overtime is also revealed to have been a bug. Overtime should now trigger properly.
A new PvE Brawl starts today, while new Legendary skins for Kiriko and Junker Queen will be available until November 8th.
Unlike Overwatch 1, which recycled the same Junkenstein's Revenge mode for years, Overwatch 2 will feature some new content.
Players can earn double the amount of XP from matches, though whether this applies to XP from Challenges remains to be tested.
Clueless when it comes to playing as a certain Tank, Support, or Damage hero? Check out our guide here for some valuable tips and tricks.
Confused about all of the changes to Ranked play? Here's what you need to know, along with how to carry over cosmetics from Overwatch 1.
Here's how to get all the heroes currently in the free-to-play shooter, whether you're a returning player or brand new to the series.
Blizzard has stated that Overwatch 2's heroes have balanced-enough win rates that it doesn't see a need to bring any changes to the game's heros.
Blizzard Entertainment's long-awaited shooter has got off to an incredible start, having already amassed over 25 million players.
Loot boxes are gone, but so are player levels and the traditional way of earning XP. Here's how to garner XP and advance the Battle Pass.
To apologize for launch issues, Blizzard is distributing free cosmetics and planning Double Match XP Weekends to make up for lost time.
Owing to a major bug regarding Bastion, and a relatively minor one for Torbjörn, Blizzard has disabled both characters in Overwatch 2.
Team 4's hero shooter offers stellar gameplay in its early access release, hamstrung by some progression and monetization issues.
The "protector of Kanezaka" is one of the newest heroes available in the sequel. Along with a fox spirit, she wields kunai and healing ofuda.
Thus far, it doesn't look like Blizzard Entertainment will be offering refunds to anyone who's accidentally spent credits this way.
Get to grips with Blizzard's new hero shooter with these handy tips and tricks.
Login reliability is improved, and players should see fewer disconnections when in-game. There have been no further DDoS attacks since launch.
Those with a connected Battle.net account, which includes all players since June 9th, 2021, won't have to provide a phone number to play.
Game director Aaron Keller reveals that the team is working through a "second DDoS attack." More info will be shared "as it becomes available."
Right after its launch, Overwatch 2 players are unable to connect to the game owing to DDoS attacks. Blizzard has confirmed that it has teams working on fixing the issues.
Learn all about the new features added to the sequel, which is available soon as a free-to-play, early access title on consoles and PC.
The sequel will launch as an early access free-to-play title tomorrow for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
PC players who pre-ordered the Overwatch 2: Watchpoint Pack can now start pre-loading the game in preparation for its October 4 launch.
Three years after its announcement, Overwatch 2 is finally launching as a free-to-play, early title in October. Here's what you need to know.
Instead of updating each match, players will receive updates to their Skill Tier Division every seven wins or 20 losses.
Those creating an account on or after October 4th must complete "approximately 100 matches" to unlock all of the original heroes.
Blizzard Entertainment reveals its infrastructure for identifying bad behavior and cheating, like tying one's account to their phone number.
Free-to-play early access for the hero shooter starts on October 4th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Overwatch 2 is nearly here and feels very familiar. What are some of the major differences from its predecessor? Find out here.
Set in Portugal, Esperanča features crowded streets, trolleys, numerous interiors, coffee shops, and even a gorgeous view of the port.
All heroes will now receive 30 percent refunded Ultimate charge when swapping. DPS heroes also gain a brand new role passive.
Geoff Goodman left the company earlier this year, having been with the team since launch (and even before with Project Titan).
Available when the shooter launches on October 4th, Kiriko is unlocked at tier 55 of the Season 1 Battle Pass or by purchasing the Premium Pass.
After that, servers will go down for 27 hours while the development team preps for launching Overwatch 2 on October 4th.
The free Battle Pass grants Kiriko at Tier 55. Upgrading to the Premium Pass grants 60 additional rewards, including Cyber Demon Genji.
Support allies with a burst of healing and temporary invulnerability, teleport through walls, and much more when Kiriko arrives on October 4th.
Along with throwing kunai, Kiriko can heal allies and create an area to bolster their offensive abilities, based on the leaked short.
A recent update made to the game's Battle.net page (which has since been reverted) suggests that players won't have instant access to new heroes.
Microsoft Gaming CEO reiterates commitment to release the "same version" of Call of Duty on PlayStation on the same day as other platforms.
Those with console accounts linked to Battle.net must select the ones they would like to merge. Only one account per platform can be linked.
Loot boxes are earnable afterwards from regular gameplay. However, they will cease to exist when Overwatch 2 launches in October.
In the lead up to its launchh in October, Blizzard vice president Jon Spector has announced that Overwatch 2 will not be getting any more betas.
The survey was "entirely intended to better understand player preferences for different types of Overwatch 2 cosmetics."
The apparent survey asks fans the likelihood of purchasing Legendary Skins for $25 and different bundles ranging from $5 to $30.
Paraiso, a new Hybrid map in Rio, and the Junker Queen, a new Tank, are available along with changes to Quick Play and Pings until July 18th.
Game director Aaron Keller reveals that Overwatch 2 will completely and entirely replace its predecessor upon launch.
The screen from the June 16th reveal event was "just a prototype," says Blizzard's Gavin Winter. "We do not have a payload version of Hanamura."
Blizzard's Aaron Keller reveals that iterating on PvE caused "the schedule for PvP content and features" to go on longer.
Credits, OWL Tokens and Competitive Points will carry over. Any remaining loot boxes open automatically with players receiving their contents.
Battle Passes, seasons, new heroes, cross-play and much more are coming to the hero shooter when it enters early access on October 4th.
Overwatch 2's Junker Queen gets a new trailer, showing off her weapons and abilities. Junker Queen will be playable in the Overwatch 2 PvP beta this month.
The Tank hero is playable in the upcoming closed PvP beta on June 28th and focuses on melee damage, wounding enemies and buffing allies.
Though Hero Talents won't be available in PvP, the team is discussing a separate mode where players could use them, as per game director Aaron Keller.
Purchase the Watchpoint Pack for $40 to gain access to the June 28th beta, the Premium Battle Pass for Season 1, and Overwatch: Legendary Edition.
New cosmetics include Weapon Charms, Banner and new Mythic skins. PvE is also slated for 2023 while multiple new heroes are in the works.
Available in the next beta, the Junker Queen is an aggressive Tank with a giant axe, shotgun and the ability to inflict Wounds one enemies.
The next beta will be coming to PC and consoles and includes a new map along with the Junker Queen as a new playable hero.
Includes 2 Epic skins, a founder's Player Icon, and a "surprise gift." Players need to own the first game before June 23rd and log in before December 5th.
Along with Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, the hero shooter's early access launch is also coming to PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.
Blizzard's hero shooter will be available early for Xbox consoles and PC later this year with more details coming at the July 16th event.
A prominent leaker is strongly hinting that the upcoming hero shooter sequel will be free-to-play. An Overwatch 2 live stream is set for June 16.
Blizzard's Dylan Snyder hypes up the June 16th event for the hero shooter, which had its closed PvP beta throughout May.
Game director Aaron Keller thanked those who participated in the beta. "Tests like this are a vital part of the process of improving Overwatch."
The first ever beta for Blizzard's upcoming sequel had its fair share of ups and downs. Here's what you need to know.
Blizzard Entertainment feels that adding "exciting new Support heroes" and experimenting with new and refreshed abilities for existing heroes is key.
Blizzard Entertainment is working on a fix but in the meantime, the hero will be unavailable for the first weekend of Overwatch League Season 5.
The recent beta has attracted the highest concurrent viewer count for the hero shooter yet, according to Blizzard Entertainment.
Those seeking beta access can tune into affiliated streams today from 10 AM PT to 6 PM PT. Watching for four hours guarantees access.
The beta will be live until May 17th and won't have Competitive Play or Profiles. Progress also won't carry over into the full game.
However, everyone won't be receiving access at the exact same time, as per Blizzard senior community manager Andy Belford.
The two Tank heroes, along with some others, will still have their current looks when the closed beta begins on April 26th for PC.
"Hero Shards" and "Role Shards" are referenced for PvE along with progression for Missions, Tiers, Heroes and the Season.
Doomfist gains the ability to block damage and empower his next Rocket Punch while Orisa has several new abilities focused on javelins.
Along with assault rifle, the Damage dealer can build up charge to fire a railgun, slide around and slow enemies with her Disruptor Shot.
The damage-dealer uses an assault rifle that can also doubles up as a railgun. She can also slide and boost jump around the battlefield.
It premieres at 11 AM PT along with a community Q&A hosted by the developer. The closed PvP beta is slated for April 26th.
Learn more about Vivian Chase and how she joined the organization ahead of the hero shooter's closed PvP beta on April 26th.
Former UI designer Jayson Kirby uploaded some design and concept images to ArtStation, showcasing a main menu revamp for the sequel.
Though he deals much less damage and possesses more survivability, the former DPS hero turned Tank is due to receive a nerf.
PC players can currently opt-in for the beta which includes a brand new hero, Sojourn; four new maps; a new Ping System; and much more.
Reworks for Sombra, Bastion, Orisa and Doomfist will be available along with a new Ping System. Public beta testing is slated for later this year.
Overwatch 2 has been in the works for a long time, but recent developments might be pointing to an incoming beta for the hero shooter.
Despite neither game having solid dates, Blizzard has confirmed that both will now launch further than originally envisioned.
The gunslinger will now go by the name Cole Cassidy and drop the old name that related to a previous employee of the company.
Check out how the older maps look at different times of day along with getting another look at the reworks for Bastion and Sombra.
Bastion gets a new Ultimate and can move around in Sentry mode while Sombra can hack foes in stealth and reveal them to teammates.
Overwatch series executive producer Chacko Sonny is leaving Blizzard Entertainment, it's been confirmed.
These will be showcased on September 25th at 5 PM PT. Pro teams that were knocked out will be participating in the exhibition match.
The next season of the esports league begins in April 2022 with more details on various aspects like roster construction to be revealed.
Activision-Blizard is looking to coincide the release of the sequel with the start of next year's season of Overwatch League.
"Going forward, in-game characters will no longer be named after real employees and we will be more thoughtful and discerning about adding real world references in future Overwatch content," Blizzard ...
Speaking to "multiple people close to my original source," leaker Metro says that a release in 2022 "does not seem likely anymore."
Technical director John Lafleur says that though Blizzard will "focus on making sure all of the gameplay-related features get in", the Switch version will be lacking "some of the higher end visual enh...
With new hair shader tech, Baptiste embodies more of the combat medic role. Meanwhile, Sombra has various circuitry in her new outfit.
The acclaimed hero shooter is making a huge change in the sequel. Will it really spell disaster or blaze a new path forward for the series?
There will be "major changes to how the hero plays."
"Folks across the world will be seeing before too long what we're up to," says World of Warcraft director Ion Hazzikostas.
The new mode will replace Assault in Competitive play.
Blizzard felt having two tanks made the game played too slowly.
The development team will sit down and play through new maps while discussing changes.
"I want to make that as compelling as we possibly can," says Aaron Keller, the game's new director.
Development on Overwatch 2 is "continuing at a good pace."
Here are all the different ways that Blizzard's sequel is improving.
"I think we need some more time till we can say it's perfectly polished in the way that we want it," says game director Jeff Kaplan.
New objectives, new routes in established maps and much more teased.
New looks for Widowmaker, Pharah, McCree, and Reaper also unveiled.
The Opening Ceremony kicks off at 2 PM PT on February 19th.
New Weekly Challenges for Baptiste, McCree, and Reaper also revealed.
Blizzard is scheduled to release new titles next year though.
The online event takes place on February 19th to 20th and is free to watch.
Adding further fuel to rumors of development progressing slowly.
Blizzard are reportedly considering delaying the game's launch.
Game director Jeff Kaplan reiterates that an update is coming soon.
This will be the first new look at the title since BlizzCon 2019.
Blizzard Entertainment discuss creating "longer missions" with "more elaborate encounters."
Blizzard is placing a great deal of its chips on the game's PvE content.
The tweet has since been deleted.
Director Jeff Kaplan talks about Hero Missions and how they will approach endgame content.
"We have always considered Overwatch as a universe that we want to tell stories in," says lead writer Michael Chu.
The healing character gets her origins dug into.
Overwatch returns with much more to offer.
Offering few changes with the same events pained the development team, as per director Jeff Kaplan.
"If I'm a player of the game, this feels right and fair," says director Jeff Kaplan.
"Leaks are very interesting in that they have more of a moral impact on the team than anything else," says game director Jeff Kaplan.
Director Jeff Kaplan also says the game is "absolutely a sequel".
The sequel will be discussed again at BlizzCon 2020, says director Jeff Kaplan.
The idea is to encourage players to experiment with multiple different characters.
Director Jeff Kaplan confirms that it's not Sojourn, who was recently showcased.
Cosmetics from the first game will also carry over into the sequel.
The shooter features new maps, hero abilities and a brand new PvP mode.
Several established heroes also seem to have new looks in the sequel.
New heroes, modes and maps are also included.
The sequel will apparently be revealed at BlizzCon 2019.
Development team members want to keep community engaged with current game.
