Overwatch 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Overwatch 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
The next new Overwatch hero is Sierra, and we've been given a brief look at what she can do
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed Sierra as the 51st hero for Overwatch, a damage-role character set to launch with Season 2 of Reign of Talon on April 14th. Sierra, who uses a flying arm bot and a plasma rifle, is the first of five new heroes planned for release this year. The update also includes a version for the Nintendo Switch and other game updates.
Overwatch's new hero Sierra has an ability that could mean she's destined to dethrone Jetpack Cat as the most…
Overwatch's new hero, Sierra, features an ability that marks targets with a dart, causing subsequent shots to home in, which has sparked discussion about auto-aim mechanics. This ability may lead to her becoming a frequently banned hero due to player preference against non-aimed attacks. Sierra also possesses a grappling hook for mobility and an ultimate ability that carpets an area, alongside a passive ability to reveal marked enemies through walls.
Blizzard explains visual updates to Overwatch's Anran
Overwatch game director Aaron Keller addressed community and voice actor feedback regarding the visual design of the new character Anran. Following backlash over her initial appearance, Blizzard is implementing updates to make her visuals more aligned with her described personality as a confident and fierce leader, moving away from a perceived 'baby face' look. The changes, set to go live on April 14, focus on her eyes, eyebrows, mouth, and posture.
Why Some Xbox Hits Feel Closer to a Casino Floor Than an Arcade
Modern Xbox games increasingly utilize retention systems like loot boxes and battle passes, borrowing psychological tactics from casinos to encourage continued engagement. Titles such as EA SPORTS FC 25, Overwatch 2, and NBA 2K25 feature randomized acquisition, ladder progression, and collection pressure as core engagement mechanics. While not literal casinos, these games employ uncertainty and the promise of reward to keep players invested in their service and sports loops.
Overwatch Players Call Portrait System ‘Absurdly Overdesigned’ vs Original
Overwatch players are criticizing the portrait system in Overwatch 2, calling it 'absurdly overdesigned' compared to the simpler UI of the original Overwatch. The discussion, which gained significant traction on Reddit, highlights a community preference for clarity and functionality in game interfaces over excessive visual flair. Players hope Blizzard Entertainment will consider simplifying the portrait designs based on this feedback.
Overwatch Fan Creates Stunning Echo Ballerina Skin, Hopes for Blizzard Job
A fan artist has created a highly detailed ballerina skin concept for the Overwatch character Echo, sharing it on Reddit and expressing a desire to be hired by Blizzard Entertainment. The concept highlights the community's passion for the character and the potential for more unique cosmetic options in Overwatch 2.
Stunning Symmetra Cosplay Shows Why Overwatch Fans Are the Best
A Symmetra cosplay shared on the Overwatch subreddit has garnered significant attention and praise from the community. The detailed costume, created by user Clau_cy1, highlights the passion and creativity within the Overwatch fanbase, serving as a reminder of the game's appeal beyond its gameplay.
Here's your chance to get Marathon for just $1 and score one of my favorite FPS games in recent years for a tiny price
Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon is available for a limited time for $1 as part of a Fanatical Mystery Egg Bundle promotion. The game is praised for its sci-fi atmosphere and intense gunplay, though it features a challenging learning curve where players lose all gear upon death. Other potential prizes in the bundle include indie titles and older AAA games.
GIGABYTE MO27Q2A: A 280Hz QD-OLED monitor built for the games you actually play
GIGABYTE has launched the MO27Q2A, a 27-inch QHD QD-OLED gaming monitor featuring a 280Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. Designed for PC gamers, it aims to enhance gameplay across various genres, from competitive shooters to AAA titles, by focusing on clarity, responsiveness, and visual immersion. The monitor includes features like Tactical Switch, AI OLED Care for burn-in protection, and versatile connectivity options.
Overwatch is already teasing its latest new hero, and she arrives in just a few short weeks
Blizzard Entertainment is teasing a new hero for Overwatch, set to arrive with season two on April 14. The character, described as a hi-tech soldier with a drone and long ponytail, will be the sixth addition to the roster in 2026. More details, including the hero's name and trailer, will be revealed next week.
Marvel Rivals threatens bans for players with "superhuman APM" who are "achieving action beyond normal…
Developer NetEase has announced that Marvel Rivals will issue bans to players using cheats, specifically those employing mouse macros to achieve "superhuman APM" and gain an unfair advantage. The studio is cracking down on these actions to protect the game's competitive integrity.
Perfect Ten: MMOs whose sequels struggled to land
This article analyzes ten massively multiplayer online games whose sequels failed to achieve the same success as their predecessors. It explores reasons for these failures, including development issues, player migration, and market competition, highlighting titles like MapleStory 2, Overwatch 2, and EverQuest II.
Not So Massively: The Overwatch PvE issue is about accessibility
This opinion piece argues that Overwatch 2 should reintroduce accessible Player vs. Environment (PvE) modes to cater to players with disabilities or those who find Player vs. Player (PvP) too stressful. The author suggests a minimal PvE mode using existing assets could allow more players to enjoy the Overwatch universe and progress their battle passes, aligning with the game's inclusive ethos.
Women and LGBTQ+ Gamers Get the Worst of Online Toxicity. The Data Proves It.
Data indicates that women, LGBTQ+ individuals, Black gamers, and Jewish gamers experience disproportionately high rates of identity-based harassment in online gaming environments. While AI moderation tools are improving, they struggle to address coordinated, multi-platform harassment campaigns, leading to players avoiding games and the industry losing diverse talent. Games like Final Fantasy XIV and Deep Rock Galactic are highlighted for fostering more inclusive communities through design and active community management.
Overwatch 2 Players Launch Boycott Against Repetitive Character Skins
Overwatch 2 players are organizing a boycott against Blizzard Entertainment due to perceived favoritism in character cosmetic skins, primarily for Kiriko and Mercy. The community is urging players to "speak with their wallets" by not purchasing skins for these popular heroes, aiming to influence Blizzard's monetization strategy for live service games. This movement highlights player dissatisfaction with the distribution of in-game cosmetics and seeks a more equitable approach across all characters.
PSN is down, stating officially that 'Some services are experiencing issues' — here's what we know…
The PlayStation Network is currently experiencing service outages affecting gaming and social features. Users are reporting issues accessing online services, with a significant spike in outage reports on Downdetector. The official PlayStation Status page confirms that 'Some services are experiencing issues'.
Introducing the TAG Community Safety Score: Rating Games on What Actually Matters
The TAG Community Safety Score has been introduced to evaluate multiplayer games based on their community safety infrastructure, including moderation, transparency, and player controls, rather than just traditional game quality metrics. The article details the scoring methodology across eight dimensions and provides initial scores for eight major titles, highlighting strengths and weaknesses in their approaches to online safety and player well-being.
Overwatch was originally called "Monetized Shooter" because you had to buy each of its heroes, says co-creator Jeff Kaplan: "F***ing terrible, but at the time, I actually thought that was a good idea"
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan revealed that the game was initially pitched with the working title "Monetized Shooter." The concept combined elements of League of Legends and Team Fortress 2, with a focus on monetizing heroes. Kaplan ultimately proposed "Overwatch" as the official name.
Overwatch players prove that there's still some good left in them as Winston and co triumph over Talon in the…
The Overwatch Conquest event concluded with the "Overwatch" faction winning against "Talon." Players who participated received an Overwatch-themed Echo epic skin as a reward. The article notes that the win was largely due to the introduction of new characters, making it more of a popularity contest than a true test of loyalty.
How to Report Toxic Players in Every Major Game
This guide details how to effectively report toxic players across major multiplayer games like Call of Duty, Valorant, Apex Legends, and others. It emphasizes providing specific details, timestamps, and clips to ensure reports are actionable by moderation systems, whether AI or human-reviewed. The article also covers platform-level reporting and when to escalate issues beyond in-game tools.
