With this PvE and PvP discussion, I think that PvE isn’t great at the moment. However, let’s look at a similar game series:
Splatoon.
The original game was heavily PvP. However, it contained a small single-player campaign. However, when Splatoon 2 came out two years later (so in other words, easily within the timeframe for Overwatch), it came with an expanded single-player (both in the main game and a DLC pack being released at a later stage) AND a PvE. This PvE basically has a mix of maps, modes, waves, weapon pool, etc. This shows two things relevant to Overwatch:
- Making PvE more diverse and less predictable would help reduce the boredom. As nice as Archives and Junkenstein’s Revenge are, they are pretty repetitive AND have mostly the same routine. Taking inspiration from Splatoon 2’s PvE would help with this for both the diversity side (less boring) AND for the practice side (reactionary instead of just timing the waves).
- Games can evolve. Both Splatoon 1 and 2 are marketed as PvP focused games. However, the devs have recognised how popular these non-PvE modes are, and adapted. While Heroes should stay fairly similar (still may need drastic changes, but stick with the same general layout), the game itself can change, as evidenced from new modes being added that were not supposed to be added.
Also, why do people keep saying that FFA Deathmatch is practice for Comp? FFA is WAY harder due to no allies to back you up, plus all sorts of weird ambushes and what-not.