Overwatch 2 will replace the first game upon release

It’s official, Overwatch will disappear and be replaced by Overwatch 2 upon release. So fans will have no choice but to switch to the new version.

(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

We learned the news during a question-and-answer session on the Reddit web platform. Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller has confirmed that the new Overwatch will replace the original online service when it’s released in October. This means that the first game will not be playable after the new game is released and players will instead have to launch Overwatch 2 when they try to launch the first game. Blizzard pursues this strategy in order to unite a large number of players in the same place, so that the mass of players does not split into two parts.

When OW2 launches on October 4, it will replace the existing Live service. “Aaron Keeler”

A decision contrary to what was previously announced

When was the sequel announceHowever, Blizzard stated that players can play both games side by side in the same modes. Originally, Overwatch 2 would have allowed players to play with new heroes on new maps, but both versions ran with PvP available on both sides.

Now, it appears that plans have changed at Blizzard and the decision to cancel the first Overwatch is final. This decision makes sense, given that Overwatch 2 was already planning to keep the legacy content from the original game and add more heroes and maps. The fact that both Overwatch games are free to play means that players won’t have to pay to make this transition from one version to the next.

This change means the end of 6v6 battles in Overwatch as the new game will instead introduce the 5v5 format. Perhaps it is this difference that, among other things, makes the two games incompatible and the simple solution is to focus on the new version.

We’re getting started with new heroes, maps and features, but there’s more coming seasonally every 9 weeks. We recently released a roadmap detailing some of this content, with a hero coming in Seasons 1 and 2, and a new map in Season 2. Overwatch 2’s in-game vision will be released as part of the live service, including the launch of the PvE campaign next year.» Aaron Keeler