The Overwatch 2 release date has been pushed back, with Activision Blizzard revealing that there has been a delay in its initial plans. Now, the game will no longer launch in 2021, with the publisher instead looking to 2022 and beyond for further growth.
The announcement came during an earnings call this week, in which the publisher stated that it would not be releasing Overwatch 2 in 2021. It also confirmed the same for Diablo 4, another hugely anticipated Blizzard sequel.
Has Overwatch 2 been delayed?
So if Overwatch 2 isn’t releasing in 2021, when is it coming out? Activision Blizzard stating that it is looking to further growth in 2022 and beyond suggests that it could release next year, though no release window for the game has been revealed at this point. Given the challenges that many developers are facing with trying to develop and release games during the pandemic, it could be a while before we see the sequel.
We’ve received little information on Overwatch 2 since its unveiling during BlizzCon 2019. It was revealed that the game would feature remodeled versions of all its heroes and would prioritize its PvE mode, while it was also confirmed PvP would work between both Overwatch games. Outside of limited gameplay overviews, Activision Blizzard has remained mostly quiet in regards to its development, with news of its delay suggesting development isn’t progressing as swiftly as Overwatch fans may have hoped.
Activision Blizzard has pushed this news out ahead of BlizzConline 2021, with the publisher likely looking to temper expectations ahead of the event. As many expected that a 2021 release date for Overwatch 2 would be announced during the event, this earnings call has served as an opportunity for the company to state this won’t be the case.
Aside from the sprinklings of Overwatch 2 gameplay footage we’ve received, series’ director Jeff Kaplan has previously hinted at what the game’s progression system might look like. Kaplan previously noted that he would “never rule anything out” in relation to the implementation of a potential Battle Pass, similar to the one utilized in Epic Games’ Fortnite.
(H/T Polygon)
