Overwatch Dev Post Archives & Overwatch 2 Facts & Beta Info

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OVERWATCH 2 DEVELOPER POSTS & QUICK FACTS

News Articles & Press Releases

Livestreams and Developer Update Videos

Developer Interviews

Cinematic Shorts

Origin Stories

Hero reworks & Gameplay Trailers

Demonstration Matches

Developer Responses

Click here to expand the developer responses list

New Heroes

New Maps

Changing to the 5v5 ruleset and to solo tanking

Hero balance changes

Game Mode Changes

PVE Modes

Other responses

Overwatch 2 Quick Fact List (UPDATED)

About the release of Overwatch 2

  • Overwatch 2 is considered a live-service game delivering content on a seasonal basis.
  • The game will launch on October 4th, 2022 with all new features including new heroes, a new “core” gamemode called “Push”, and new maps. New PVE content including Story Missions and Hero Missions will launch starting in future seasons in 2023.
  • Overwatch 2 will be Free to Play for everyone (regardless if you own Overwatch 1) with optional purchases including premium currency and seasonal Battle Passes.
  • Overwatch 2 will have an updated graphics engine and updated sound engine.
  • Heroes will have a new default skin appearance in Overwatch 2.
  • There will be a new gameplay HUD to be more streamlined.
  • Players from Overwatch 1 will be able to access their collected content (skins, emotes, sprays, etc.) on Overwatch 2.
  • Cross-Progression will be available upon the launch of Overwatch 2 and players can access all collected items from all platforms linked to the same BattleNet account.
  • There is no release date for Overwatch 2 as of the announcements made in Blizzconline on February 19th, 2021

New Maps

  • New Confirmed PVP maps include:
    • Circuit Royale (Monte Carlo) - Escort
    • New Queen Street (Toronto, Canada) - Push
    • Midtown (New York, United States) - Hybrid
    • Colosseo (Rome, Italy) - Push
  • Unconfirmed maps include:
    • Gothenburg, Sweden - Originally was seen as an Assault map in BlizzCon 2019, but the Assault PVP map type is being removed from core gamemodes.
  • New Story Mode PVE Maps include:
    • Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
    • Toronto, Canada
    • India

New Heroes premiering at launch.

  • Sojourn - Damage Role
  • Junkerqueen - Tank Role
  • Upcoming Support Hero

Changes to PVP Modes

  • 5v5 - Overwatch 2 core gamemodes will change to a 5v5 format with Role Queue modes using 1 Tank, 2 Damage, and 2 Support heroes.
  • PUSH - Push is a new core PVP mode that combines elements from both Control and Escort. A neutral robot/omnic stands in the center of the primary route of a symmetrical map with teams spawning at each end. The teams will engage and attempt to gain control of the robot (similar to gaining control of a payload). The team that is in control of the robot will begin escorting that Robot until it reaches an obstacle on the primary route, where then the robot will start pushing it (this causes him to move slower). If the robot pushes past the halfway point between the center starting point and the final objective point, a forward spawn for that team unlocks. The robot will start to walk in the opposite direction if the opposing team takes control of the robot. If the robot reaches the center point of the map after a team has a forward spawn activated, that forward spawn will be closed. The team that can push forward the greater distance within 10 minutes or successfully pushes the robot to the endpoint of the opposite end of the map will win.
  • The Assault (a.k.a. 2CP) map type will be retired from Competitive Play in Overwatch 2. It may still appear in other game modes and there is no word on whether maps that were originally the Assault map type will change or appear as a different map type.
  • The Overwatch Team is currently experimenting with dramatic changes to all heroes including the introduction of Role Passives and significant reworks to all existing Tank heroes.
    • Role Passives are passive benefits granted to heroes of a specific role. Right now this includes tanks giving less ultimate charge for damage taken and have knockback resistance, damage heroes gaining additional movement ability for flanking, and support heroes regaining health after avoiding damage for a time.
    • Tank overhauls are geared to making the Tank role more of an upfront brawler rather than be a defensive guard. Some changes include giving Reinhardt the ability to use 2 Firestrikes, be able to cancel his charge, but have his barrier at very limited health (was seen at 800 HP).

PVE Modes

  • Story Missions - The primary story mode will consist of 4 players working together to complete a series of objectives against computer-controlled enemies (similar to the Overwatch Archives PVE missions). There will be item abilities that are picked up which can be used by any hero including manual turrets, grenades, shields, and health pods.
  • Hero Missions - Hero Missions are designed to be deeply replayable similar to that of World Quests in World of Warcraft and will play on the existing PVP maps with variable objectives. Missions include holdouts, boss battles, and more. All heroes can be selected in all Hero Missions.
  • Archive Missions - Players will be able to enjoy the Archive PVE missions that have been released previously in Overwatch 1
  • In-Game Cinematics - Every Story Mission will include a cinematic intro and outro.
  • Talent System - Players will be able to level up their heroes throughout the game and gain new and more powerful versions of their key abilities and ultimates (which are exclusive to PVE modes).

Other Quick Facts

  • The game will introduce a new dog character related to one of the heroes which according to Jeff Kaplan “people will fall in love with.” It is confirmed not to be any existing dog (such as Orisa’s French Bulldog).
  • No heroes from Overwatch 1 will be removed.
  • Overwatch 2 will replace Overwatch 1 entirely.
  • Loot Boxes will be removed upon the launch of Overwatch 2. It is not yet known what will happen to Loot Boxes, Gold Currency, or Competitive Points, but details will be provided in the months to come leading up to the launch of Overwatch 2.
  • All players will be required to enable Phone Notifications on their Blizzard BattleNet acccount in order to play Overwatch 2.
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