History of Overwatch 2 in Timeline

Overwatch 2, released in 2023 by Blizzard Entertainment, is a free-to-play first-person shooter and a sequel/replacement to the original Overwatch. Key changes include a reduction in team size to five players and the introduction of new game modes. Available on multiple platforms (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Windows, Xbox) with full cross-platform play, it launched after an early access period starting in October 2022. Originally intended to feature story-driven cooperative modes, these were later abandoned to prioritize the player-versus-player experience. Despite these changes, Overwatch 2 was generally well-received by critics.

2016: Overwatch Release

In 2016, the original Overwatch was released, which Overwatch 2 replaced.

November 1, 2019: Overwatch 2 Announced at BlizzCon

On November 1, 2019, Overwatch 2 was officially announced at BlizzCon, revealing plans for a "shared multiplayer environment" with the original Overwatch. This ensured players could compete together in PvP modes, retaining cosmetics and features. All new heroes, maps, and PvP modes were to be added to both games.

2019: Overwatch 2 Announcement

In 2019, Overwatch 2 was announced, heralding a new chapter for the hero shooter franchise.

2020: Anticipated Release Timeline

In 2020, Activision Blizzard anticipated Overwatch 2 would be ready. However, the game's release was continuously delayed. One of the reasons was driven by management to convert the game into a free-to-play title.

April 2021: Kaplan's Departure

In the interim from its announcement prior to release, Kaplan left Blizzard in April 2021, with Aaron Keller taking over the lead development role.

June 2021: Identity Verification Exception

By October 7, following a controversial launch on October 4, 2022 that included an SMS verification requirement locking out some players, Blizzard removed the need to verify one's identity for those that had played Overwatch since at least June 2021.

November 2021: Release Window Delayed to 2023

Investor documents released in November 2021 reported that the initial 2022 release window was delayed to at least 2023, intended for "giving the teams some extra time to complete production and continue growing their creative resources to support the titles after launch".

2021: Key Staff Departures

From 2021, several key staff members involved in Overwatch 2's development, including Kaplan, left Blizzard, due to the constant attention from Activision. Aaron Keller took over the role for lead developer on Overwatch 2.

2021: Release Timeline Switching

In 2021, Activision Blizzard had anticipated Overwatch 2 would be ready. However, the game's release was continuously delayed. Around 2021, Activision management put pressure on Blizzard to finish Overwatch 2.

March 2022: Shift to Phased Release

In March 2022, Blizzard acknowledged over-focusing on Overwatch 2 to the detriment of the original game. As a result, plans shifted to release Overwatch 2 in phases, starting with the PvP portion in beta form in April 2022, to allow continued support for the original Overwatch.

April 2022: PvP Beta Release

In April 2022, Blizzard changed plans to release Overwatch 2 in parts, with the PvP portion to be released in beta form starting in April 2022.

April 26, 2022: Overwatch 2 Closed Beta Launch

On April 26, 2022, Blizzard announced that the first wave of Overwatch 2 invitation-only betas would begin, and end on May 17. Access to the closed beta could be earned either by signing up for a chance to participate or by watching select Twitch streamers for a limited time on April 27.

October 2, 2022: Original Overwatch Servers Shut Down

By mid-2022, Blizzard affirmed that Overwatch 2 live services would replace those of the original game; the original Overwatch servers would be shut down on October 2, 2022.

October 4, 2022: Planned Release Date Announced

By mid-2022, Overwatch 2's conversion to a free-to-play title, and its planned release date of October 4, 2022, were announced.

October 2022: Early Access Launch

In October 2022, Overwatch 2 became playable in early access, marking a significant step in its development and release.

2022: Decoupling of PvE and PvP Elements

To make Overwatch 2 happen and avoid a situation similar to the Titan cancellation, Blizzard opted to decouple the PvE and PvP elements in 2022, to release the improved PvP elements by 2022 and to eventually release the PvE elements later.

May 2023: PvE Plans Scrapped

In May 2023, developers announced that extensive plans for PvE were scrapped due to concerns about their impact on PvP elements. Story-based events were planned as a replacement. The PvE elements were based on the cancelled Titan project. The developers believed they could not deliver a polished PvE experience.

August 2023: Official Release

In August 2023, Overwatch 2 was officially released, succeeding the original Overwatch. It introduced new game modes and reduced team sizes.

August 2023: Addition of Story-Based PvE Missions

In August 2023, Season 6 marked the addition of three story-based PvE missions to Overwatch 2. These missions advance the game's narrative and lore, offering objective-based gameplay similar to past short-term event missions. They are available during specific seasons as free-to-play game modes but can be permanently accessed through separate purchase or as part of a battle pass bundle.

September 2023: Introduction of Hero Mastery Courses

In September 2023, Hero Mastery courses were introduced to Overwatch 2, designed to help players improve their skills with specific characters. These courses challenge players to complete a map with the shortest time and highest score by completing objectives. New courses are added with each season.

2023: Negative Reviews on Steam

In 2023, upon release on Steam, Overwatch 2 received a large number of negative reviews and became the worst-rated Steam game of all time within 48 hours. User reviews criticized the removal of PvE content, issues related to Activision Blizzard's sexual harassment allegations, and Blizzard's dissolution of its agreement with NetEase in China, leaving Chinese players unable to play on local servers.

2023: Overwatch 2 Released

Overwatch 2 was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in early access on October 4, 2022. Investor documents released in November 2021 reported that the initial 2022 release window was delayed to at least 2023

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February 2024: Combat and Competitive System Overhaul

In February 2024, with the start of Season 9, Overwatch 2 underwent a major combat and competitive system overhaul. Heroes received increased health and passive healing, while gun-based characters were buffed to improve survivability and reduce quick eliminations. The competitive ranking system was adjusted to resemble the original Overwatch, with ranking changes after each game and reset for all players.

March 2024: PvE Content Sales Disappoint

In March 2024, Jason Schreier of Bloomberg News reported that Blizzard did not believe the PvE content sold well enough to continue. The entire PvE was eliminated with no further plans to continue the PvE missions going forward.

April 2024: Heroes Made Free for All Players

In April 2024, with Season 10, Blizzard reversed its decision to launch new heroes on the battle pass, making them free for all players upon release. Existing heroes from Overwatch 2's launch were also made available, requiring tutorial missions for those who had not unlocked them previously.

July 2024: Over 100 Million Players

By July 2024, both Overwatch and Overwatch 2 had over 100 million players combined.

August 2024: Introduction of Clash Game Mode

In August 2024, Season 12 introduced a new game mode called Clash to Overwatch 2. Clash features five control points in a sequential order between the team's main bases, with teams fighting to capture the central point and then progressing towards the opponent's base. The game continues until a team completes five captures.

December 2024: Six-on-Six Team Combat Experiments

In December 2024, during Season 14, Blizzard began experimenting with player response to the return of six-on-six team combat in Overwatch 2 through limited period tests. Additionally, special "Overwatch Classic" limited time events were run, featuring six-on-six gameplay with heroes, skill kits, and maps from various periods during Overwatch's history.

December 2024: Player Count Drop Due to Marvel Rivals

In December 2024, with the launch of Marvel Rivals, Overwatch 2 saw nearly a 40% drop in concurrent player counts based on Steam players, which was attributed to competition with Marvel Rivals.

February 2025: 6v6 Competitive Mode Test

In February 2025, Season 15 will feature a 6v6 competitive mode to further test player response for this mode.

February 2025: Season 15 Release and Improved User Reception

In February 2025, the release of Season 15, which introduced perks and loot boxes, improved user reception. Steam reviews trended from "Overwhelming negative" at launch to "Mixed" following the update.

February 2025: Introduction of Gameplay Perks

With the launch of Season 15 in February 2025, Overwatch 2 introduced a new gameplay feature called perks. Perks are alterations of existing abilities to impact game play. Players earn experience points across three levels while playing a match, with the ability to select one of two perks with each level.

April 2025: Stadium Game Mode Launch

A new game mode called Stadium is expected to launch in Season 16 in April 2025. Stadium is a 5v5 match played over a best of seven rounds. After each round, players receive tokens based on how well they played, which they can spend to purchase upgrades to their character. In Stadium mode, a player can opt to use a third-person camera to control their character.