Announced at Blizzcon 2019,Overwatch 2will be the sequel to the originalOverwatch, moving the story forward and offering all sorts of new modes. Blizzard’s announcement thatOverwatch 2is a full-on sequel debunks earlier rumors thatOverwatch 2would be closer toOverwatch: Chapter 2, but this news doesn’t mean veteran players need to despair.
Even if players don’t want to make the jump toOverwatch 2, originalOverwatchplayers will be able to still enjoy the multiplayer changesOverwatch 2brings. This includes the new heroes and maps, as well as thenew PvP mode forOverwatch 2, Push.
RELATED:Why Overwatch 2 Completely Replacing Overwatch 1 Makes Sense
Blizzard does not seem like they want to split the competitive userbase forOverwatch, so it has announced thatOverwatch 1andOverwatch 2will share the same multiplayer updates. This means that the new heroes announced forOverwatch 2, as well as any new maps and modes, will be available across both games. Blizzard didn’t state if this would be the case for the entirety ofOverwatch 2’spost-development cycle, but those only interested in the multiplayer aspect ofOverwatchdo not need to upgrade right away.
Additionally, those that do upgrade don’t need to worry about losing their skin collections. Any item earned in the originalOverwatchwill be transferred over toOverwatch 2, which is sure to put some players' fears to rest about if a full sequel was going to reset their progress.Overwatch 2doesn’t feel like it’s completely abandoning the originalOverwatchlike some recent rumors hinted at, which is likely a relief for fans that aren’t interested in the lore of theOverwatchworld.
With the Overwatch League as big as it is, it felt like a risky idea to makeOverwatch 2a full-blown sequel. Disrupting a huge competitive scene would not have good consequences, but it seems Blizzard may have found a happy middle ground withOverwatch 2.Since multiplayer content will be shared between the two titles, there should not be a huge shift in the competitive scene besides what the new heroes and maps bring, while players more interested in lore will have their own modes to enjoy.
With this, a lot of rumors have been confirmed forOverwatch 2. Some questions still remain, though, such aswillOverwatch 1become free to play? Blizzcon will be running all weekend, and Blizzard may have some surprises yet.
Overwatch 2is currently in development for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
