I completed Overwatch 2’s season 12 battle cross final night time. There are solely 11 days left on this season and it’s simply the longest it’s taken me to work my method by the hero shooter’s each day challenges to unlock all of the skins, emotes, and voice strains Blizzard provided in these previous 9 weeks. As I completed the battle cross, I spotted that as we speak, October 4, is the two-year anniversary of when Blizzard shut down the unique Overwatch to switch it with the sequel.
In 2022, the whole lot modified for Overwatch…effectively, sort of. It was purported to, a minimum of. Now, two years later, it’s clear that my religion in Blizzard’s authentic imaginative and prescient for the sequel hasn’t been rewarded—and that’s principally as a result of we didn’t get most of what was promised: a story-driven sequel that will additionally nurture a thriving aggressive suite.
Now, let’s take inventory of what we truly acquired:
All of this must be learn with the context of the intensive layoffs at Blizzard, turnover as a result of firm’s reported work tradition, and important management modifications all through the years.
I nonetheless have numerous love for the Overwatch universe. After taking part in over 1000 hours throughout each the unique and the sequel, characters like Soldier: 76, Sombra, and Lifeweaver have embedded are a few of my favourite online game characters of all time. I really like taking part in as them, however that isn’t sufficient anymore—I’m on autopilot, unlocking cosmetics for them I received’t use and feeding a machine that isn’t giving me what I need or was promised. My numbers are going up, and nights I’d in any other case stare on the ceiling (or play a special sport, what an idea) are nonetheless stuffed with my associates’ laughter as we push payloads. However I take into consideration Overwatch 2 much less and fewer nowadays, and I was invested on this world. Now it’s only a vogue present for characters who really feel like props for the meta of the week.
Hoping for the sport that was promised feels futile however I nonetheless need it to be greater than it’s now. However can a group that’s being hit with cuts do extra? Is Overwatch 2 doomed to be simply sufficient to promote one other Kiriko or Mercy pores and skin? Overwatch was as soon as the largest sport on this planet, and its sequel was purported to lastly ship on extra of its promise. Now, it’s not the undisputed king of the hero shooter, and stiff competitors is on its method.
