The veil between launchers thins

Blizzard is bridging the hole and bringing a few of its PC video games over to Steam. The writer introduced that choose video games will seem on Valve’s launcher, beginning with Overwatch 2 hitting Steam on August 10.

The free-to-play group shooter will launch with just a few Steam tie-ins. Specifically, there can be some Steam Achievements and the power to ask Steam pals into matches. Gamers on Steam may match and play towards Battle.web customers too, in case you have been fearful about that. You’ll, nevertheless, nonetheless want a Battle.web account to play Overwatch 2.

Overwatch 2‘s Steam launch additionally coincides with the discharge of Invasion, the seasonal replace that may add Blizzard’s pared-down and lowered PvE plans.

Whereas Overwatch 2 is the beginning, extra video games from Blizzard are headed to Valve’s storefront. “So far as what’s subsequent for Blizzard on Steam, we’ll be sharing extra about potential different video games coming to the platform when the time is true,” reads a weblog put up from the corporate. Apparent hopes would lie in huge video games like Diablo IV, although I’d like to see some classics come over too.

Watch over me

The information comes at a tumultuous time for Overwatch 2 on the whole. Alongside the aforementioned scaled-back PvE plans, the hero shooter is declining. Activision Blizzard’s Q2 2023 earnings report says engagement and participant funding in Overwatch 2 has declined “sequentially” within the quarter. Its hopes appear to be that the Invasion replace will bolster the sport.

However on the esports aspect, the Overwatch League can also be headed for a crossroads; groups are set to vote on an up to date working settlement, placing the destiny of the league within the group homeowners’ arms. League commissioner informed The Verge that Overwatch will stay dedicated to a “aggressive ecosystem in 2024 and past.” However Activision Blizzard can also be shedding staff in its esports division, per The Verge. We’ll see if a seasonal replace and Steam launcher look can proper the ship.

Eric Van Allen

Senior Editor – Whereas Eric’s been writing about video games since 2014, he is been taking part in them for lots longer. Often discovered grinding RPG battles, digging into an indie gem, or hanging out across the Limsa Aethryte.

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