Overwatch 2 is now just Overwatch, with Blizzard finally dropping the "2" it added to its hero shooter back in 2022.
Blizzard's shooter first launched in 2016, only to undergo a free-to-play transformation in 2022 that saw a 2 added to the name and a shift to a 5v5 format, alongside a visual refresh to its maps and heroes. While cosmetics and unlocks from the original Overwatch carried over to the "sequel," Overwatch otherwise ceased to exist, replaced by Overwatch 2.
The name change doesn't mean that Overwatch 2 is suddenly reverting back to the exact gameplay of the 2016 game. Instead, it coincides with the launch of Overwatch 2026 Season 1 and what Blizzard is calling a new "story-driven era,"--one defined by yearlong narratives. Overwatch's yearlong story will last six seasons, with a new story arc beginning in Season 1 of 2027.
That yearlong story for 2026 is the Reign of Talon--one that will be told both outside the game in the form of cinematics, short stories, and comics, but also represented more than ever before in-game. Maps will be updated to reflect story events, new voice lines and character interactions will be added, in-game events will push the story forward, and the addition of a "Narrative Viewer" will make it so players can more easily follow the story without needing to go outside the game.
In an interview with GameSpot, Overwatch game director Aaron Keller explained the team's new story strategy. He said the team has always thought story in Overwatch was important, but based on feedback from players and the "lack of excitement" for the game's short-lived story missions, the team decided to instead put its energy and resources into the core player-versus-player experience. Now, Blizzard is having it both ways, delivering more story and content to players but in a way that doesn't involve crafting story missions.
"We're going to keep pushing it forward over the course of this year and we're going to be using all of those different avenues to do it, but it's no longer connected to us having to put together a very expensive set of story missions that players weren't really excited about playing through anyway," Keller said.
A name change and a newfound focus on story aren't the only big shifts for Overwatch in 2026. The game will also receive more heroes in the next 12 months than ever before, with five additional heroes (including Jetpack Cat) coming as part of Season 1. A new hero will then be added each following season for the remainder of 2026, for a total of 10 new heroes this year.
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Blizzard's shooter first launched in 2016, only to undergo a free-to-play transformation in 2022 that saw a 2 added to the name and a shift to a 5v5 format, alongside a visual refresh to its maps and heroes. While cosmetics and unlocks from the original Overwatch carried over to the "sequel," Overwatch otherwise ceased to exist, replaced by Overwatch 2.
The name change doesn't mean that Overwatch 2 is suddenly reverting back to the exact gameplay of the 2016 game. Instead, it coincides with the launch of Overwatch 2026 Season 1 and what Blizzard is calling a new "story-driven era,"--one defined by yearlong narratives. Overwatch's yearlong story will last six seasons, with a new story arc beginning in Season 1 of 2027.
That yearlong story for 2026 is the Reign of Talon--one that will be told both outside the game in the form of cinematics, short stories, and comics, but also represented more than ever before in-game. Maps will be updated to reflect story events, new voice lines and character interactions will be added, in-game events will push the story forward, and the addition of a "Narrative Viewer" will make it so players can more easily follow the story without needing to go outside the game.
In an interview with GameSpot, Overwatch game director Aaron Keller explained the team's new story strategy. He said the team has always thought story in Overwatch was important, but based on feedback from players and the "lack of excitement" for the game's short-lived story missions, the team decided to instead put its energy and resources into the core player-versus-player experience. Now, Blizzard is having it both ways, delivering more story and content to players but in a way that doesn't involve crafting story missions.
"We're going to keep pushing it forward over the course of this year and we're going to be using all of those different avenues to do it, but it's no longer connected to us having to put together a very expensive set of story missions that players weren't really excited about playing through anyway," Keller said.
A name change and a newfound focus on story aren't the only big shifts for Overwatch in 2026. The game will also receive more heroes in the next 12 months than ever before, with five additional heroes (including Jetpack Cat) coming as part of Season 1. A new hero will then be added each following season for the remainder of 2026, for a total of 10 new heroes this year.
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