| Overwatch 2 | |
|---|---|
| |
Developer |
Blizzard Entertainment |
Publisher |
Blizzard Entertainment |
Release date |
October 4, 2022[1] August 10, 2023 (Steam)[2] |
Platforms |
PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
Overwatch 2 is the next iteration, and sequel of Overwatch. It took over after the first game's servers were closed down.
Overview[ | ]
Plot[ | ]
Overwatch 2 takes place one year after Recall.[3] It will have an ongoing plot, focused on a second omnic uprising. It will explore who is behind it. The plot takes place over the whole world.[4] Null Sector are the main antagonists.[5] Each mission is custom-made.[4]
Gameplay[ | ]
Updated character models
Overwatch 2 features new PvE and PvP modes. An example of the former is Story Experience.[6] An example of the latter is Push. The modes launched alongside multiple new maps and heroes, new HUD, and a major engine upgrade. Overwatch 2 replaces the original Overwatch as an update, and as such, PvP content is free for existing users.[7] The game's PvP mode was changed from 6v6 to 5v5, with the roles limited to one tank, two damage, and two support. The passives of these roles were further altered on release—damage heroes move faster, tank heroes have knockback reductions (while receiving less charge when attacked by enemies), and support heroes automatically regenerate health while out of combat.[8] However these passives were later reworked and changed in future patches.
New players are automatically placed in the First Time User Experience system.[9]
Updated appearances of all the current heroes will be exclusive to Overwatch 2.
New content will be released regularly through the game's seasons.[10]
The game has cross-progression; players are able to merge their accounts across platforms into a single profile. All players, even those on console, must have a battle.net account to play the game.[11]
PvE[ | ]
Overwatch 2 features PvE story missions that are set after Overwatch was recalled by Winston. The PvE maps are larger than those featured in the original game.[12] The missions went live in 2023.[10].
Elite units were added to PvE scenarios. Here, enemy units are altered to give them distinct properties that set them apart from their base forms.
It was later announced that PvE would be 'deprioritized', with the only PvE content available for the foreseeable future being the initial 3 missions.[13]
Monetization[ | ]
Overwatch 2 utilizes a free-to-play model.[14] The loot boxes of the original game will not feature. Instead, players can acquire the items they want directly through the game's battle pass and in-game shop.[10] The battle pass has both a free and paid track. Heroes will be on the free track.[15]
Currencies from the original game will be carried into Overwatch 2. Note that there will be things in Overwatch 2 that are not purchasable using the credits from the original game. Ahead of launch, any unopened loot boxes from the original game will be automatically opened with players' accounts.[16]
Security[ | ]
Overwatch 2 has mandatory security requirements in order to be played. Starting October 4, 2022, all players across all platforms, including consoles, are required to have a phone number attached to their battle.net account to launch the game. The same phone number cannot be used on multiple accounts at the same time, and players can’t use the same phone number to create multiple accounts. A phone number can only be used once when making a new account, and certain types of numbers, including pre-paid and VOIP, cannot be used for SMS Protect.[9]
Even if players purchase the game on Steam, they must have a battle.net account in order to play.[17]
Requirements[ | ]
The following is a list of specs required for the PC version of the game:
Minimum
- Operating system: Windows® 7 / Windows® 8 / Windows® 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack)
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD Phenom™ X3 8650
- Video: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 600 series, AMD Radeon™ HD 7000 series
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Storage: 50 GB available hard drive space
Recommended
- Operating system: Windows® 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack)
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 or AMD Ryzen™ 5
- Video: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 or AMD R9 380
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Storage: 50 GB available hard drive space[18]
The game is not being developed for Mac platforms.[19]
Development[ | ]
Work on Overwatch 2 (in some form) began as soon as the original game shipped. The developers are considering cross-play between the PC and console versions.[20] Reportedly, Jeff Kaplan wanted Overwatch 2 to be a PvE-focused sequel, in order to get non-PvP players to try the game. Kaplan had wanted PvE to be in the original game,[21] but this never made it into the game's release as a permanent mode.
Over the development of Overwatch 1, more and more of Team 4 were transferred to work on PvE features.[5]
Overwatch 2 has a "revamped engine" compared to its predecessor, which makes it easier to update the game.[22]
A development goal of Overwatch 2 was to have more frequent in-game events and unique limited-time game modes.[23]
According to Jason Schreier, Kaplan's desire to make the game PvE focused was reversed after his departure from Blizzard. A new leadership group took over and pivoted back to PvP. However, by this point, it was too late to end development of the game.[24]
Pre-reveal[ | ]
The existence of a second Overwatch game was hinted at by J. Allen Brack in May 2019.[25]
In a June 2019 Kotaku article, it was confirmed that Blizzard staff were being transferred from Ares to work on other projects. Among the rumoured projects they were sent to was a PvE focused Overwatch game that has been likened to Left 4 Dead.[26] While the game was expected to be revealed at BlizzCon 2019, a French employee had reported that they felt the game would not be released before 2020.[27]
In October 2019, ESPN had received information and a package regarding the information that was to be revealed at BlizzCon 2019. Among the package was information about Overwatch 2 being revealed, alongside a new gamemode Push and a new map Toronto. Hero talents and in-game items are also expected to be included in the game, but it is unknown whether they will be for the proposed PvE modes exclusively.[28] Their report was later updated, stating that it was likely the game would be called "Overwatch: Chapter 2," as opposed to "Overwatch 2."[29] A few days later, artwork of the game was leaked, showing heroes of the original game featuring redesigns.[30]
The game was revealed on 1 November at BlizzCon 2019.
Post-reveal[ | ]
In late 2020, the size of the game's development team was expanded.[31] The game passed a "significant" development milestone in December 2020. By this point, the game had hundreds of developers working on it.[32]
During development, a 4v4 PvP layout was tested, along with changing the hero roster to 3 DPS, 2 support, one tank. The developers settled on changing PvP to 5v5.[33]
c. 2018/19, Team 4 made the decision to exclusively focus on development on Overwatch 2. However, as development stretched on, Overwatch vanilla received less focus. This led to a reduction in content.[34]
The game entered the "later stages of production" in the second half of 2021.[35] In 2022, the Overwatch League began using the game.[36]
Alpha[ | ]
The game entered its alpha phase in March, 2022, exclusively for its PvP mode. The alpha included select regions, Blizzard employees, Overwatch League pros, and a few other select groups.[37] The alpha was under an NDA.[34]
Beta[ | ]
Blizzard will continue to work on the game's PvE content while the beta is being conducted.[38]
First Beta[ | ]
Overwatch 2 beta announcement
The first closed[34] PvP beta began on April 26, 2022, for PC in select regions, with the following elements:
- 5v5 gameplay (as opposed to the 6v6 standard of the original game)
- New Hero: Sojourn
- New Maps (Circuit Royal, Midtown, New Queen Street, Colosseo)
- New Mode: Push
- Hero Reworks (Orisa, Doomfist, Sombra, Bastion)
- New Ping System
Players could sign up to request access to the beta on PlayOverwatch.com.[37] Not all features from the base game were included (for instance, only quick play is available, as the developers wanted to prioritize making matches more quickly over splitting players into multiple queues).[39]
The beta ended on May 17.[40]
Second Beta[ | ]
Overwatch 2 2nd beta announcement
A second beta was held. Players who took part in the first beta still had to opt into the second, and progress was not carried over. Opt-in was available until June 28, at which point the beta went live. Players who purchase the Overwatch 2: Watchpoint Pack on a platform on which the beta is available were granted immediate beta access.
- New Hero: Junker Queen
- New Map: Paraíso
- New Look for All Heroes
- Now Beta on Consoles (PC, Xbox, and PlayStation Consoles)
The second beta ended on July 18.[19]
Graphics and Sound[ | ]
Concept art featuring new hero designs
The game's heroes have undergone an artistic redesign. The redesign varies from hero to hero, but each seeks to be true to the hero's core story, and to imply where the heroes have travelled, or who they've spent time with between games. Evolutions to the game’s technology, like new shaders and lighting, have allowed greater detail in character rendition, which translates to more emotion via facial features and body language. To further improve the feel of the world, the art team explored ways to push the technology and bring environments to life using weather systems, fog changes, improved cloth, more particles, and sequenced events. Dynamic weather effects, first introduced in Storm Rising, has been improved.[41]
The game's weapons have been given a sound and graphics overhaul. New software was used for the system, and sounds from real-life firearms was collected. The game's firearms will sound different depending on the environment they're fired in (e.g. firing a weapon outside won't have the same effect as firing a weapon inside). A "camera shake" effect is employed when firing weapons, simulating recoil.[4]
Story[ | ]
The developers intend for the game to have a cinematic feel to it, taking inspiration from the cinematics that were released sporadically during the time period of the first game. The game's plot was storyboarded, where developers would conceptualize cutscenes via whiteboards on a daily basis. Later, the storyboards were sent to the writers' room to refine the plot.[4]
Cut Content[ | ]
| “ | As work slowly continued on Overwatch 2, we began to pull more and more of our focus and energy away from the live game and all of the people that were playing it. We had people that were excited to be playing that game, and they just wanted more of it. So, we had a difficult choice to make: We could continue working on our original vision for Overwatch 2 without a definitive end date in sight or change our strategy and get something in front of players sooner. We chose the latter, and we released Overwatch 2 last October with new heroes, new maps, new modes, and regular seasonal updates. But more than that, we shifted our values for how we want to develop the game. No longer would we store content up for really big releases and leave the game sort of languishing on the side. Now, we made the commitment to always prioritize the live game and all of the people playing it and to devote our development efforts there. | „ |
| ~ Aaron Keller |
In May, 2023, it was announced that the game's PvE elements were cut back.[42] It was originally intended that the game's PvE mode would introduce a talents system.[4] Furthermore, it was planned that players could upgrade and customize abilities. The missions would have featured items of various rarities that players can pick up and use to perform different effects (e.g. heal, damage, create a barrier, etc.).[12]
Reception[ | ]
Overwatch 2 had 25 million players in its first ten days, and 35 million in its first month.[43] With the cancellation of Hero Missions, many falsely claimed that PvE had been cancelled, when in reality, only Hero Missions had been.[44]
The game was review bombed on Steam upon release due to disgruntlement over the cancellation of Hero Missions,[45] simultaniously one of the worst reviewed games on the platform, yet also one of the most played at the time. It was similarly review bombed on Metacritic.[46]
As of December 2023, the game has a daily average of 1,723,000 players.[47] As of March, 2024, the game has just under 100 million registered players.[48]
Scores[ | ]
References[ | ]
- ↑ 2022-06-12, Overwatch 2 will be free to play and has an early access release date. The Verge, accessed on 2022-06-13
- ↑ 2023-07-19, Blizzard Games Are Coming To Steam, Starting With ‘Overwatch 2’. Forbes, accessed on 2023-07-30
- ↑ 2019-11-16, 110 Rapid-Fire Questions With Overwatch 2's Jeff Kaplan. YouTube, accessed on 2022-10-31
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 2021-02-20, BlizzConline 2021 | Behind the Scenes of Overwatch 2 | Overwatch. YouTube, accessed on 2021-03-13
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 2023-05-19, DIRECTOR’S TAKE – REFLECTING ON THE FUTURE OF OVERWATCH 2. PlayOverwatch, accessed on 2023-05-20
- ↑ 2019-11-04, New Gameplay Today – Overwatch 2's Story Experience. Game Informer, accessed on 2020-03-12
- ↑ 2019-11-02, STORY MISSIONS, HERO MISSIONS, PUSH MAPS, AND MORE–OVERWATCH 2 “WHAT’S NEXT” PANEL RECAP. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2020-05-16
- ↑ 2021-05-20, Overwatch 2 Drops Standard PVP Count To 5V5. Game Informer, accessed on 2021-05-23
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 2022-09-27, DEFENSE MATRIX ACTIVATED! FORTIFYING GAMEPLAY INTEGRITY AND POSITIVITY IN OVERWATCH 2. Play Overwatch, accessed on 2022-09-28
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 2022-06-16, OVERWATCH 2 REVEAL EVENT RECAP. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2022-07-03
- ↑ 2022-08-16, Cross-Progression Is Coming To Overwatch 2. Game Informer, accessed on 2022-08-21
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 2020-07-20, WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK ON OVERWATCH’S TOOLS AND ENGINE. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2021-01-23
- ↑ 2023-05-16. Overwatch 2's PvE Hero Mode Is Being Scrapped, Blizzard Explains What Happened and Why GameSpot. Accessed on 2023-05-17.
- ↑ 2022-06-13, Release Date Reveal | Overwatch 2. YouTube, accessed on 2022-06-18
- ↑ 2022-09-08, New Overwatch 2 Heroes Will Need To Be Unlocked On The Battle Pass' Free Track. Game Informer, accessed on 2022-09-10
- ↑ 2022-06-23, Overwatch 2 r/Games AMA - All Questions and Answers. Reddit, accessed on 2022-07-11
- ↑ 2023-08-11, Overwatch 2 is released on Steam, is immediately review bombed. VGC, accessed on 2023-08-21
- ↑ 2022-04-25, Blizzard Releases FAQ Ahead Of Overwatch 2 Beta Starting Tomorrow. Game Informer, accessed on 2022-05-08
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 2022-06-16, OVERWATCH 2 BETA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. Blizzard ENtertainment, accessed on 2022-06-18
- ↑ 2019-11-02, The Overwatch 2 team “absolutely has plans” to do something like break Reinhardt’s hammer in half — but it won’t affect PVP. Blizzard Watch, accessed on 2020-07-19
- ↑ 2021-11-18, Tracey Kennedy's Twitter. Twitter, accessed on 2022-05-18
- ↑ 2022-11, Overwatch 2 Art Director Dion Rogers Talks About The Design Principles Behind The Dual Modes For Ramattra In Interview. Gamerbraves, accessed on 2022-11-15
- ↑ 2023-01-31, SEASON 2 RETROSPECTIVE: A LOOK BACK AND THE ROAD FORWARD. PlayOverwatch, accessed on 2023-02-02
- ↑ 2024-03-23, Jason Schreier. X, accessed on 2024-04-01
- ↑ 2019-05-04, Blizzard Has Big Plans For The Overwatch Universe. Comicbook.com, accessed on 2019-06-09
- ↑ 2019-06-07, Sources: Blizzard Cancels StarCraft First-Person Shooter To Focus On Diablo 4 And Overwatch 2. Kotaku, accessed on 2019-06-09
- ↑ 2019-06-26, Diablo 4 Apparently Shown to French Employees. Diablo.net, accessed on 2019-06-26
- ↑ 2019-10-27, Sources: Overwatch 2 to feature PvE, new map, at least one new hero. ESPN, accessed on 2019-10-28
- ↑ 2019-10-29, Overwatch 2 to Feature New PvE Missions, New Game Mode, and Hero 32. IGN, accessed on 2019-10-31
- ↑ 2019-10-31, Overwatch 2 Rumours Pick Up Steam With New Leaked Image Of Omnic Hero Echo. Geek Culture, accessed on 2019-10-31
- ↑ 2020-12-17, Developer Update | Kanezaka | Overwatch. YouTube, accessed on 2021-01-27
- ↑ 2021-02-05, Diablo 4, Overwatch 2 Won't Launch In 2021, But New Call Of Duty Confirmed And Another Remaster. GameSpot, accessed on 2021-02-13
- ↑ 2021-05-21, Overwatch 2 Developer PVP Livestream. YouTube, accessed on 2021-05-27
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 2022-03-11, Overwatch 2 | Developer Update. YouTube, accessed on 2022-03-11
- ↑ 2021-08-03, ACTIVISION BLIZZARD Q2 2021 INVESTORS CALL TRANSCRIPT. Blizzplanet, accessed on 2021-08-05
- ↑ 2021-09-03, OVERWATCH LEAGUE 2022 STARTS APRIL WITH OVERWATCH 2. Blizzplanet, accessed on 2021-09-11
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 2022-03-10, OVERWATCH 2 COMMUNITY UPDATE. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2022-03-11
- ↑ 2022-03-10, Blizzard ‘Decoupling’ Overwatch 2’s PvP And PvE, PC Beta Announced For April. Game Informer, accessed on 2022-05-08
- ↑ 2022-05-03, OVERWATCH 2 PVP BETA: WEEK 1 DEVELOPER BLOG. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2022-05-08
- ↑ 2022-05-10, Overwatch 2 Beta Visuals Aren’t Helping Perception That It’s Barely An Update. Kotaku, accessed on 2022-05-15
- ↑ 2019-11-05, REVVING UP THE ENGINE—OVERWATCH 2 “EVOLVING THE ART” PANEL RECAP. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2020-05-16
- ↑ 2023-05-16, Blizzard Details Overwatch 2 2023 Roadmap. Game Informer, accessed on 2023-05-20
- ↑ 2022-11-09, Overwatch 2 Has Reached Over 25 Million Players In Its First 10 Days, 35 Million In its First Month. IGN, accessed on 2023-02-14
- ↑ 2023-08-11, Overwatch 2: Invasion feels like the start of the franchise’s redemption arc. Dexerto, accessed on 2023-08-21
- ↑ 2023-08-18, DIRECTOR’S TAKE – LOOKING BEYOND OVERWATCH 2: INVASION. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2023-08-20
- ↑ 2023-08-13, Overwatch 2 becomes Steam’s “worst game of all time” despite huge player figures. Dexerto, accessed on 2023-08-21
- ↑ 2023-12-01, How Blizzard created Mauga - a Samoan Hero in Overwatch 2. RNZ, accessed on 2023-12-06
- ↑ 2024-03-19, Why Blizzard Is Overhauling Overwatch 2 To Be More "Generous". GameSpot, accessed on 2024-03-22
- ↑ 2022-10-04, Overwatch 2 Review. Game Informer, accessed on 2022-10-10
- ↑ 2022-10-16, Overwatch 2 Review. IGN, accessed on 2022-11-05