Overwatch 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Overwatch 2 across the outlets.
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Weekend PC Download Deals for June 19: GOG.com Summer Sale
This weekend's PC gaming deals include GOG.com's Summer Sale featuring discounts on titles like Hollow Knight Silksong and Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition. Steam and Epic Games Store also have various sales, with free games available on Epic Games Store and Amazon Luna. Humble Bundle offers several game bundles for different price tiers.
Shack Chat: What is your favorite video game comeback?
Shacknews staff members discuss their favorite video game comebacks, highlighting titles like Overwatch 2, Guilty Gear Xrd, F-Zero 99, Destiny 2, Half-Life: Alyx, and No Man's Sky. The discussion also touches on Nintendo's successful transition from the Wii U to the Nintendo Switch as a significant comeback for the company.
"Going independent meant taking a massive, massive risk": How Toys for Bob split off from Activision and Xbox…
Toys for Bob has successfully spun off from Activision and Xbox to regain its independence, a move described as a massive risk. The studio is now developing a new Spyro game, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X, set to release in 2027. This independence allows Toys for Bob to return to making games they are passionate about, leveraging their expertise from the Spyro and Crash Bandicoot franchises.
'World of Warcraft Camelot' is a mysterious new branch of the MMO that Blizzard fans are convinced is the first real evidence of a remixed WoW Classic
A new version of World of Warcraft, codenamed 'World of Warcraft Camelot,' has been discovered on Blizzard's servers, leading players to speculate it's an enhanced 'WoW Classic Plus' version. This discovery coincides with Blizzard inviting streamers to their offices under NDA and follows a pattern of accidental leaks through internal server updates.
Weekend PC Download Deals for June 12: Steam Bullet Fest
This weekend's PC gaming deals include a Steam Bullet Fest celebrating bullet hell and shooter games, alongside sales from various publishers and developers like Capcom, Klei, and Ubisoft. Notable titles on sale include Vampire Survivors, Returnal, and Destiny 2, with free games and bundles also available across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Amazon Luna.
Overwatch gives new hero Shion a motorcycle, which you can throw at people when you're not Akira sliding all over…
Overwatch is introducing a new hero named Shion, launching on June 16 with Season 3: Into the Tiger's Den. Shion features a rideable motorcycle that can be used for traversal, drifting, and even thrown as an attack, alongside dual pistols and a dash ability. Shion is also a significant character in the game's lore, having captured Genji in a recent short story.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond studio had to "buy back" its independence from Xbox "to get back to the games we were known for" instead of Call of Duty and Overwatch
Toys for Bob, the studio behind Skylanders and a co-developer for Call of Duty and Overwatch, has become independent from Microsoft. Studio head Paul Yan stated the decision was made to "buy back" creative control and return to developing games the studio is passionate about, rather than supporting larger IPs. The studio is now working on a new Spyro game, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, with a spring 2027 release window for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, and has an agreement with Xbox to publish it.
After a 'corporate mandate' demanded they help with Call of Duty, Toys for Bob studio head says it took 'many mini miracles' to buy their independence from Activision
Toys for Bob, the studio behind Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, has successfully bought back its independence from Activision Blizzard. Studio head Paul Yan stated that a 'corporate mandate' to support Call of Duty: Warzone and Overwatch 2 was not the right fit for the studio's identity. Following layoffs at Microsoft, Toys for Bob proposed a radical plan to spin out as a separate company, focusing on making the types of games they are best known for.
New Overwatch hero Shion is a human-faced omnic with an evil streak
Overwatch has revealed its 53rd playable character, Shion, an omnic with human-like facial expressions and an antagonistic role within the Hashimoto Clan. The new hero was showcased in an animated trailer, hinting at her abilities which may include dual pistols, a cyber knife, and motorcycle-based combat, suggesting a close-quarters playstyle.
Nobody can tell if Overwatch's 52nd hero is supposed to be a robot or a human, but we won't have to wait long…
Overwatch 2's upcoming 52nd hero, Shion, has been revealed in a new trailer, sparking debate about whether she is an Omnic or a human. Shion is described as the "most terrifying elder" of the Hashimoto clan and will be a villain in the upcoming season. Her true nature and abilities, including dual pistols and an electrified knife, will be further explored through in-game dialogue and comics before she becomes playable on June 16.
15 minutes is all you need in this roguelike action RPG to feel like a maxed-out Diablo god laying waste to an entire…
The roguelike action RPG Cursemark has launched in early access on PC, offering players a satisfying buildcrafting experience within 15 minutes of starting a run. Developed by Clyde Games, the title features pixel art, hundreds of items, and a soulslike combat system with dodge rolls and challenging enemies. A free demo is available on Steam, with the full game currently on sale.
Toys For Bob Discusses Flying Free In Spyro: A Realm Beyond
Toys for Bob, now an independent studio formerly part of Activision Blizzard and briefly Microsoft, has revealed Spyro: A Realm Beyond. Studio Head Paul Yan and Associate Creative Director Lou Studdert discussed the studio's independence and the game's emphasis on true player-controlled flight. The spark for the new game came during the development of the Spyro Reignited Trilogy.
After a stint on Warzone, Toys for Bob is thrilled to be back on Spyro – "We were moving away from the types of games that are near and dear to our hearts"
Toys for Bob, known for the Spyro Reignited Trilogy and Crash Bandicoot 4, has spun off from Activision to regain creative control and focus on joyful, all-ages games. The studio announced Spyro: A Realm Beyond, its first independent title, which will be released in spring 2027 for PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. This move signifies a return to their core passion after supporting titles like Call of Duty: Warzone.
Jobs roundup: June 2026 | Bernard Kim joins Appcharge advisory board
Several key appointments and elections have occurred in the games industry. Bernard Kim has joined Appcharge's advisory board, Romain Dijoux is the new studio head at Netflix's Night School Studio, and the German Games Industry Association has elected a new executive board. Other notable moves include Sam Hilary at Team17, Charlotte Spurgeon and Celeste Valentine at Imprint Studios, and leadership changes at Side.
AMD announce global rollout of the RX 9070 GRE, which is slower than the standard model for the same original MSRP
AMD has announced the global release of the RX 9070 GRE, a less powerful version of the RX 9070 previously exclusive to China. The GRE model will be available starting June 2nd for an MSRP of $549, despite offering lower specifications than the standard RX 9070. This move is attributed to the ongoing memory crisis in the hardware market.
Overwatch's latest anniversary mode brings back pre-Overwatch 2 6v6 and I have to admit, I missed it
Overwatch's 10-year anniversary event brings back a limited-time 6v6 mode, which the author found enjoyable, particularly for the tank role. This pre-Overwatch 2 format allowed for a return to the off-tank playstyle, which was missed despite the author's general appreciation for the shift to 5v5 in the main game.
'[Marvel Rivals] scared us a bit': Overwatch boss says the explosive success of another hero shooter prompted…
The success of the hero shooter Marvel Rivals prompted Blizzard Entertainment to accelerate its content release schedule for Overwatch 2. Facing its first significant competitor in years, the Overwatch team is now planning to launch major updates, including multiple new heroes and story content, at the beginning of each year.
ToxMod vs GGWP: Which AI Moderation Tool Is Actually Better? (2026) | TAG
This analysis compares ToxMod by Modulate and GGWP, two leading AI moderation tools for the gaming industry. ToxMod specializes in real-time voice chat analysis, significantly reducing toxicity in games like Call of Duty. GGWP offers a broader platform, focusing on reputation scoring across text, voice, and gameplay behavior to influence matchmaking. While not direct competitors, both tools represent significant advancements over previous moderation methods, with ToxMod excelling in voice and GGWP offering a more comprehensive community management solution, especially with its integration via Unity Vivox for smaller studios.
Voice Chat Safety: The Practical Guide for Online Gamers (2026) | TAG
This guide provides practical advice for online gamers on managing voice chat safety in 2026, addressing the uneven implementation of AI monitoring across various games. It details different voice chat configurations like 'Voice Off,' 'Party-Only Voice,' 'Push-to-Talk,' and 'Open Mic, Active Muting,' and offers specific settings for popular titles such as Call of Duty, Valorant, and Fortnite. The article also discusses the privacy implications of voice chat and recommends using platforms like Discord as a safer alternative for communication.
CS2 Safety Score: Toxicity, the Overwatch System, and Whether It Actually Works (2026) | TAG
Counter-Strike 2 receives a low safety score due to significant toxicity and a lack of transparency in its moderation systems, including the Overwatch system. Despite its technical brilliance and competitive depth, issues like identity-based harassment and community complaints about inadequate moderation persist. Valve's opaque approach to Trust Factor, VACnet, and the restricted Overwatch system contributes to player concerns, leading many to opt for third-party platforms like FACEIT for a better competitive experience.
