There was a point in time when nobody believed Overwatch 2 was even happening anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Overwatch community had to give a double-take when Blizzard announced that there was a confirmed date for the Overwatch 2 PvP beta. It seemed that just a few moments earlier, Overwatch 2 was turning into a fairytale of sorts, something Blizzard told gamers to keep them from cancelling the company and all of its titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overwatch 2 was first announced in 2019<\/a>. At the time, developers explained that their focus was shifting from Overwatch updates to the development of Overwatch 2. And at the time, players were immediately sceptical. Why did there need to be a second Overwatch? Was Blizzard just trying to make some money instead of continuing to update the existing game?<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the Overwatch community couldn\u2019t help it \u2014 they were intrigued. Overwatch is a game rich in lore, with dynamic heroes and a compelling storyline that continues to grow with each update. There were comics, videos, art\u2026 Players started wondering about a campaign mode that would dive deeper into the Overwatch universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soon, however, players learned what Overwatch 2 was all about \u2014 and it didn\u2019t seem to make sense. There would be a new PvP mode, Push. And it would now be 5v5. But why couldn\u2019t that just be added to Overwatch? There would be a new hero and hero reworks. But why couldn\u2019t that just be added to Overwatch?<\/p>\n\n\n\n After multiple delays, developers explained the game further at BlizzConline, hosting a panel that went over some details of a campaign-like mode complete with hero skill trees. They also explained the gameplay improvements, from more realistic shooting to more detailed maps. While still sceptical, fans couldn\u2019t help but want Overwatch 2 to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Overwatch was completely abandoned. There had barely been any new content since 2019. Echo was the only new hero in years. The updates were just rehashed holiday events. The game was perceived as stale by many outspoken Blizzard fans. Overwatch 2 seemed to them like an excuse to stop putting effort into Overwatch. With Overwatch 2 delayed and Overwatch 1 receiving almost nothing of substance, fans were left wondering what the team was up to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turns out, Blizzard headquarters was deep in turmoil. In 2021, Blizzard was sued by the state of California for several severe workplace issues<\/a>. With the plummeting stock prices and dwindling public support, it seemed like Activision Blizzard was on a slippery slope. However, at the beginning of 2022, in a flurry of acquisitions in the gaming industry, Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With Microsoft holding the reins, there was hope again for the videogame company. Microsoft had a proven track record in gaming. It had competed in the console market with Sony for decades, giving it an edge in steering Activision Blizzard back to the right keel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They had a hard pickle to get the game out of though.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOverwatch 2 was delayed\u2026 and delayed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The abandonment of Overwatch 1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is Overwatch dying? Can it retain its viewership numbers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n