Reports of an upcoming Overwatch 2 beta suggest that fans could get their hands on the team-based hero shooter sequel as early as March 2022.
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Various leakers believe that a beta for Overwatch 2 will soon be announced and will launch in March 2022. The game was first announced back in 2019, but since then little has been officially revealed about the successor to Blizzard Entertainment’s popular team-based hero shooter. While Blizzard delayed Overwatch 2 in November 2021, both the cartoonish title’s original and new release dates remain unknown.
Expanding upon the first game, Overwatch 2 is expected to redesign the franchise’s characters and redefine its gameplay. Major balance changes will be made in the sequel, with a switch to five-player teams rather than six-player teams being perhaps the biggest difference. Overwatch 2 will also tweak characters’ appearances and in-game abilities, resulting in new strategies and tactics. PvE modes, where a group of players cooperate to take down hordes of computer-controlled enemies, will also be a large part of Overwatch 2. The project has reportedly experienced a troubled production, including the departure of its director and executive producer, but Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard game studios may help breathe new life into the game.
As reported by Dexerto, recent rumors suggest that an Overwatch 2 beta will likely be announced in the coming weeks for a March launch. The potential news comes from several different sources, including YouTuber WorstSombra and Twitter user FireTheGull, who appear to support each others’ claims. WorstSombra reports that Blizzard recently invited multiple Overwatch content creators to “secret meetings,” with each one signing a non-disclosure agreement. These meetings reportedly involved the impending Overwatch 2 beta, with FireTheGull also pointing out in-game Overwatch files that point to an impending demo.
While these leaks are still unconfirmed, the release of Overwatch 2 in some form would coincide with the Overwatch League’s upcoming season. Last year it was announced that the competitive Overwatch teams will use an early build of Overwatch 2 for its 2022 season. The Overwatch League plans to transition into the title’s sequel for competitive use, but delays of Overwatch 2 led to rumors that the esports competition would also be pushed back. However, Blizzard surprisingly announced that professional gamers will use an early build of Overwatch 2 for OWL’s 2022 season. The next season is scheduled to kick off in April 2022, so a March beta would fit that timeline perfectly.
Fans were initially thrilled by the announcement of Overwatch 2, but delays and a lack of new information has tainted gamers’ hopes for the project. However, a beta release within the next month could easily rekindle interest in the team-based shooter sequel, especially if it releases ahead of the Overwatch League’s 2022 season. The beta is mere rumor, however, so only time will tell whether fans actually get their hands on Overwatch 2 in March.
Sources: Dexerto, WorstSombra/YouTube, FireTheGull/Twitter
Thomas McNulty is an avid reader, writer, game player and movie watcher from New Jersey. Movies, TV shows, video games, books and pop culture are personal passions, and he is thrilled to be writing about those topics that are so near and dear. If someone has a story to tell, they should be able to tell it. He is committed to delivering accuracy with every article and staying true to his voice.
