Seasonal updates each 9 weeks

[Update: This article has been updated with new information revealed in the time since launch.]

Throughout the Overwatch 2 Reveal Occasion this morning, Blizzard elaborated (considerably!) on its free-to-play launch and what’s within the content material pipeline for this live-service sequel.

Should you’ve been ready to listen to extra about PvE, welp, that wasn’t the main focus of immediately’s stream — and the brand new story missions gained’t be playable till 2023 — however we’ve obtained a roadmap for PvP and affirmation that loot packing containers are out and a battle cross format is in.

Coming off of Overwatch 1, the workforce’s major aim is to try to ship content material on a “frequent and constant foundation,” in line with recreation director Aaron Keller.

At present, they’re committing to main updates each 9 weeks, beginning with the launch on October 4. “Gamers can count on to see a brand new hero each different season, with parts like new maps and recreation modes within the seasons between,” Blizzard stated in a weblog put up.

The 2022 roadmap and a tease for 2023

As you possibly can see from this roadmap, Season 1 of Overwatch 2 shall be out on October 4 with three new heroes — Sojourn, Junker Queen, and a brand new help hero, who Blizzard teased with a snippet of footage that includes a spirit fox (that we’ve come to ok now as Kiriko). It’ll even be the debut of Push mode, six new maps, and greater than 30 character skins, together with a brand new Mythic tier of skins.

The primary instance of a Mythic pores and skin was a cool Cyber Demon pores and skin for Genji with customization parts like tattoos, masks, and colours. I’m… intrigued! And in addition nervous about how a lot Mythic skins will value (whether or not that’s precise cash or time invested).

The Season 1 Overwatch 2 hero: Kiriko

Kiriko is a help hero hailing from Japan.

The Season 2 Overwatch 2 hero: Ramattra

Ramattra is a tank hero, and is an Omnic that hails from Null Sector.

Different new cosmetics, like banners and weapon charms, will assist pad out the battle cross; one instance was just a little frosted donut keychain. There shall be a store with digital forex.

Cross-progression

Crucially, with all of this new Stuff for gamers to stockpile, Blizzard stated that in the event you earn one thing on console, PC, or in Overwatch 1, you should utilize it in Overwatch 2. In different phrases, there’s cross-platform development, which is unquestionably one thing they needed to ship. That stated, the primary Overwatch 2 battle cross gained’t be prepared till Season 2 begins on December 6. In spite of everything this time, the launch — nicely, the “rollout,” actually — certain appears gradual.

Aggressive

Beginning with Season 1 on October 4, Overwatch 2 can have “a reimagined aggressive expertise that was created to present gamers extra instruments to enhance gameplay and really feel a way of development in aggressive play,” in line with Blizzard. “Gamers can have extra of an impression on particular person matches with the shift to 5v5, and there shall be further methods in place that will help you discern your contributions per match.”

Overwatch 2 PvE and story mode launch date

As for Overwatch 2 PvE, we obtained a number of gameplay glimpses of Null Sector’s return and a few pretty open-ended developer quotes in regards to the workforce’s ambitions.

“With PvE, we’ve got a possibility to go a step additional, to go deeper into numerous storytelling in ways in which we actually simply haven’t been in a position to earlier than,” stated Keller. It’ll be delivered beginning in 2023 “by way of stay service,” identical to the PvP content material. The workforce plans to indicate off (extra of) the place the characters are from in these PvE “experiences.”

Beta sign-ups

A brand new map, Rio, and Junker Queen, shall be playable within the Overwatch 2 closed beta beginning on June 28. Beta sign-ups are actually obtainable for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Notably, “Beta entry doesn’t roll over from the earlier Overwatch 2 PvP Beta.”