Overwatch is down as Blizzard preparations for Overwatch 2

Image: Blizzard Entertainment

The initial Overwatch is offline. That’s as anticipated, due to the fact that Blizzard Entertainment prepares to introduce the semi-sequel, Overwatch 2, on Tuesday. Overwatch gamers will certainly lack the game for a 27-hour duration, when Blizzard will certainly begin the free-to-play period of Overwatch 2.

The end of Overwatch is bittersweet, as the initial game, which itself has actually progressed considerably throughout the years, properly vanishes. Once Overwatch 2 takes control of, lots of heroes will certainly play in a different way than they have for the previous couple of years. Familiar, well-worn maps like Hanamura and also Temple of Anubis will certainly almost vanish, as the game setting that utilizes them is no more component of follow up’s game turning. Six-hero groups will certainly pave the way to five-hero groups, component of Blizzard’s effort to bring equilibrium and also boosted readability to the game.

Blizzard provided gamers a tiny however purposeful sendoff on Monday, stating through in-game conversation, “Even the best journeys end, but a new one is right around the corner. Thank you, heroes! See you October 4th!” At 12 p.m. EDT/9 a.m. PDT, matchmaking web servers for the initial Overwatch dropped. But any individual that played the initial will certainly have accessibility to Overwatch 2 when it goes live on Tuesday.

The end of Overwatch 1. pic.twitter.com/IhHjmVPZiW

— Frogger (@FroggerOW) October 3, 2022

Overwatch introduced in 2016 on PlayStation 4, Windows COMPUTER, and also Xbox One. The hero shooter flaunted 21 usable personalities and also maps at launch, and also over the previous 6 years, Blizzard included an additional 10 heroes to the game’s lineup. Overwatch 2 will certainly invite 3 brand-new heroes, with even more slated to show up every 18 weeks approximately.

Two years after launch, Activision Blizzard pressed strongly right into esports, releasing the Overwatch League, which is presently in its 5th period. Blizzard’s concentrate on esports and also affordable play has, somehow, influenced the game for all gamers, as Blizzard seeks an equal opportunity and also intends to make professional Overwatch pleasurable to view.

The past 2 years of Overwatch have actually been lighter in regards to brand-new web content contrasted to its very first 4 years. The latest hero contributed to the original was Echo in April 2020, and also gamers of the initial Overwatch have actually maintained themselves on revolving seasonal occasions, brand-new maps, hero remodels, and also speculative equilibrium modifications recently.

Recent years have actually additionally been a turbulent time for Overwatch’s advancement group. Key individuals, consisting of initial game supervisor Jeff Kaplan, lead author Michael Chu, exec manufacturer Chacko Sonny, and also lead hero developer Geoff Goodman, have actually left Blizzard throughout the advancement of Overwatch 2. Other Blizzard workers have actually been discharged or displaced, causing changes that have impacted the Overwatch roster itself.

The change to Overwatch 2 will certainly include some creases of its very own, as all gamers are required to tie a phone number to the game, component of Blizzard’s initiative to suppress unfaithful and also poisonous habits. That will inevitably leave some initial Overwatch gamers behind, that might no more have the ability to play the game. For them, the closure of the initial Overwatch is much more bittersweet.

 

Source: Polygon