Summary
Fans ofOverwatch 2are thinking that Blizzard may be planning to change the name of the hero shooter, potentially dropping its “sequel” status. The sequel to the massively popular team shooter from theWorld of Warcraftdeveloper has seen a rocky road since its launch, with plenty of controversy surrounding the game.Overwatch 2’s highly-anticipated “PvE” gameplaywas officially revealed to have been scrapped in 2023, while many fans have felt that the sequel plays a bit too close to its predecessor to stand out. Now, Blizzard may be looking to make a major notable name change.
The launch ofOverwatch 2in late 2022 served as a death knell for the originalOverwatchafter more than six years. The online servers for the originalOverwatchwere shut down just a day before the release of the open beta forOverwatch 2. Blizzard also made major changes to the game’s formula with its transition to the sequel, shifting from a paid model to free-to-play with the game’s notorious loot boxes also eliminated fromOverwatch 2. A new change suggests that Blizzard is considering returning the sequel to its roots in the near future.
As reported by Eurogamer, Blizzard is considering a change that would call into questionOverwatch 2’s status as a sequel. A leak related toOverwatch 2’s future content suggests that Blizzard may be planning to drop the “2” from its title, with the game renamed to simplyOverwatch. The change would also include altering the tags for the game’s different skin classifications, withOverwatch 2skins renamed to “Valorous” skinsandOverwatchskins changing to “Classic” skins. The leak and its associated content suggest that the change may come withOverwatch 2’s Season 16, launching in late April.
Overwatch 2 May Be Dropping the “2” From Its Name
Overwatch 2shedding its sequel numbering would come as fans have often questioned the game’s status as a sequel. The change fromOverwatchtoOverwatch 2not only allowed players to maintain their in-game accounts, but even carried over all skins that the players had purchased in the firstOverwatch. The sequel also lacked many sweeping changes to its core gameplay, with the most notable shift being to a 5v5 format instead ofthe originalOverwatch’s 6v6 gameplay.
While Blizzard considers a return toOverwatch’s roots with its new name change,Overwatch 2has often looked back to some of its best and worst eras. The recurring “Overwatch: Classic” events feature flashbacks to previous eras of the game, highlighting some of the game’s most iconic metas. The most recent edition of the event sawthe return of the infamous “GOATS” era, highlighted by the three-tank, three-support meta and characters like Wrecking Ball, Moira, and Brigitte. Blizzard’s newest change toOverwatch 2will likely see the sequel returning to the franchise’s original moniker.
