Overwatch 2 will completely replace Overwatch when it launches in October, as the first installment in the Hero Shooter series will no longer be playable.
Developer Blizzard has clarified its plans to finish the game following the release of Overwatch 2 in a developer AMA on Reddit (opens in a new tab). When asked what the sequel's launch would mean for Overwatch, game director Aaron Keller was clear: "When it launches on October 4, it will replace the current live service."
The release of Overwatch 2 will basically overwrite the original game. The sequel, with its major balance adjustments, map changes, and changing matches from 6v6 to 5v5, will be the only way to play the Overwatch series.
The final destination of the game has been a point of confusion for some time. As PC Gamer (Opens in a new tab) points out, a tweet (Opens in a new tab) sent by the official Overwatch account in 2019 stated that "Overwatch 1 players and Overwatch 2 players will be playing side by side. of the other". the same maps", suggesting that the two games would be live simultaneously. It appears that this was suggested incorrectly or that Blizzard changed the course of the series during the development of Overwatch 2.
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The Reddit AMA also revealed what will happen to Overwatch 1 content that won't be included in Overwatch 2 at launch. System designer Gavin Winter said (opens in a new tab) that maps like Temple of Anubis and Hanamura will be available to play in custom games, but won't be included in other modes at launch.
“I have some ideas that I would like to try when it comes to reusing them for possible new game modes, but these ideas may only see the light of day in the distant future given our current plans,” said Winter. "If we find a way to give them a new mode, we'd like to do extensive testing in Arcade or other formats where we can get feedback from the community."
Elsewhere in the AMA, Keller explained why Overwatch 2 will launch with only three new heroes, two of which, Sojourn and Junker Queen, were already revealed in the Overwatch 2 beta. Keller said (opens in a new tab) that the development resources had initially been divided between the PvE and PvP components of Overwatch 2, but the development of the cooperative content was taking a long time, the competitive multiplayer side was also affected.
“To be clear, there is no secret chest of full heroes and other content that we are saving for future seasons,” Keller said. "As we continue to iterate on the PvE side of the game, this meant that the timeline for PvP content and features got longer."
However, other heroes are on the way. As revealed in the recently released Overwatch 2 roadmap, Blizzard plans to introduce a new hero in each seasonal update. They will be released every nine weeks after the game launches on October 4.