When is Overwatch 2 coming out? rumors, leaks, and more
According to recent reports, Blizzard Entertainment are currently working on a new game in the Overwatch universe, currently being referred to as “Overwatch 2”.
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It’s been an exciting couple of months for Overwatch players, with a host of popular new features arriving, and now it seems an entirely new Overwatch game could be on the horizon, after a report by Kotaku revealed that Blizzard are working on “Overwatch 2”.
Blizzard have been known to scrap games in progress – with the report actually coming as a result of a StarCraft-based shooter reportedly being dropped to move resources onto Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 – so there’s no guarantee until an official announcement is made that the game will actually be released.
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That being said, with how popular Overwatch has been, and Blizzard reportedly planning to reveal the new game later in 2019, it does seem the title is on track to be in players’ hands eventually.
Here’s everything we know about ‘Overwatch 2’ so far.
The Overwatch universe will reportedly be expanding with a brand-new game.
When is Overwatch 2 being released?
At this very early stage, it’s too soon to even estimate a release date for a new Overwatch game, with Blizzard yet to even acknowledge that such a title might be in development.
It seems highly unlikely, however, that the title will be available before 2020. That being said, Blizzard are known for extensive beta testing on new games, with the Overwatch beta originally kicking off in October 2015, seven months before the game’s full release on May 24, so the first hands-on experience could much closer than a full release.
- Read more: How to use the new Overwatch Replays feature
The original reveal for Overwatch also came at BlizzCon in November of 2014, nearly a year prior to the beta, so it’s quite possible that even if an announcement does come this year for another Overwatch game, it could be some time before players get their hands on it.
The new Overwatch game might not be a hero-based multiplayer FPS.
What will Overwatch 2 include?
While the reported new Overwatch game is being referred to as “Overwatch 2” – a name that is by no means finalized – it sounds like the new title could be more of a spinoff than a true sequel.
According to the report by Kotaku, the new Overwatch game will have more of a focus on PVE content, with Blizzard employees reportedly comparing it to Left 4 Dead. This would certainly make sense, with calls for more PVE and story-based content perhaps the biggest request by the current Overwatch community.
With Overwatch having recently added major new features like the Workshop and Replays system, it also seems unlikely that Blizzard are gearing up to replace it with a new title in the same way, for instance, that each year’s Call of Duty typically takes over from its predecessors.
While the content of a new Overwatch game is entirely speculation at this point, it seems likely that Blizzard will look to offer a different type of game within the Overwatch universe, rather than building a replacement hero-based multiplayer FPS.
The new Overwatch Replays feature gives players the ability to watch back their games with full observer controls.
When will Overwatch 2 details be announced?
Unfortunately for Overwatch fans hoping for more information on a new Overwatch game, it will likely be a while before Blizzard even acknowledge the existence of such a title, as such an announcement is expected to headline this year’s BlizzCon, taking place on November 1-3.
BlizzCon is the biggest celebration of Blizzard games in the calendar, where the developers show off major new content and make their biggest announcement. It’s highly unlikely, therefore, that they would undercut their marquee event by making such a massive revelation earlier.
Depending on how far along in the development of the game Blizzard are by November, BlizzCon could offer anything from just a trailer for the game to the first hands-on look for fans in attendance.
