Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed their Overwatch sequel does live, as an Overwatch 2 PvP closed beta was announced this afternoon.
The new Overwatch 2 PvP closed beta is planned for sometime in “late April,” after the internal closed alpha is held with “Blizzard employees, Overwatch League pros, and a few other select groups.” The internal closed alpha is starting today, too.
If you want to get in on the closed beta, sign-ups are now available over on the game’s official website.
“Then our first PvP Beta will begin in late April for PC in select regions. This closed beta will include a larger group of testers who we will ask to provide gameplay feedback,” Blizzard said. “Our goal for this phase is to test our new features, content, and systems before we shift to stress-testing the servers with a wider player base in future Beta tests.”
The aforementioned first PvP beta will include “the most significant release we’ve had since our launch.” Blizzard says the beta will include:
- 5v5
- New Hero: Sojourn
- New Maps
- New Mode:Push
- Hero Reworks
- New Ping System
Blizzard noted the new shakeup is an attempt to “decouple” the game and get it released, in some shape or form, sooner. It remains unclear if this means Overwatch 2 will actually release in 2022, but the game was delayed beyond its previous target, which was already sometime after 2021.
Originally, Overwatch 2 was announced back in 2019 with not just a revamped online multiplayer component, but also an all-new PvE mode of some kind. This new development shift makes it clear Blizzard is looking to release the PvP component first, and perhaps the PvE component later.
Here’s a new developer video update:
Blizzard noted today’s announcement is the “first step” toward rolling out more communication to players, establishing a “consistent cadence of updates.” We haven’t heard much of the game since its reveal, and more, the original Overwatch hasn’t gotten a new hero in a couple years either.
Overwatch 2 is planned for a release across Windows PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
