Overwatch 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Overwatch 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
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.
Overwatch Season 2 mid-season update release countdown: Exact date and time
The mid-season update for Overwatch 2 Season 2 is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, May 12, across all platforms. This update is expected to include a significant balance patch that will impact the current meta, along with new cosmetics, including a Mythic-rarity skin for Ana. An Anniversary event may also be included, though details remain unconfirmed by Blizzard Entertainment.
If you're asking why everyone's making an extraction shooter, Escape from Tarkov is the 11th most-played game on PC according to new report, beating Overwatch, Marvel Rivals, and PUBG
A new report from Newzoo indicates that Escape from Tarkov is the 11th most-played game on PC for 2025, surpassing titles like Overwatch 2, Marvel Rivals, PUBG, and Apex Legends in total playtime. While not reaching the heights of Fortnite or Counter-Strike 2, its performance highlights the genre's popularity among dedicated players.
There's a game coming out this year where you fight your Steam backlog, and it's more dangerous the more…
Game Quest: The Backlog Battler is a new PC game from developer Nic Taylor where players fight their digital game backlogs. The game uses stats like playtime and Metacritic scores to determine enemy behavior, with more expensive or highly-rated games posing greater threats. It's described as a goofy horde battler that humorously confronts players with their unplayed titles.
Is Overwatch 2 Toxic? An Honest Answer Backed by Data (2026) | TAG
Overwatch 2 exhibits a complex relationship with toxicity, showing low rates of identity-based harassment but a high prevalence of performance-shaming due to in-game stat visibility. While Blizzard's Defense Matrix program has implemented sophisticated moderation tools, the game's design, particularly the stat scoreboard and hero-locking culture, fosters blame and frustration. The article suggests that despite these issues, Overwatch 2 remains a safer competitive game than many others regarding direct harassment, with strategies like disabling chat and avoiding the scoreboard recommended for a better player experience.
The secret to Overwatch's revitalization? Over-communicating.
Overwatch 2, now simply Overwatch, has undergone a significant revitalization driven by Blizzard Entertainment's focus on over-communicating with its player base. Game director Aaron Keller highlighted how admitting past mistakes and implementing continuous, transparent updates, including detailed blog posts and 'Director's Take' articles, helped rebuild player trust and improve community sentiment, moving Steam reviews from 'Most Negatively Reviewed' to 'Mixed'.
60-Year-Old Overwatch Player Proves Gaming Has No Age Limit | HappyGamer
A 60-year-old player, known as TheKaptinKirk, has achieved an All Star 3 ranking in Overwatch's Stadium competitive mode, demonstrating that age is not a barrier to skill in gaming. The article highlights how this player challenges assumptions about gaming demographics and emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives in the competitive community.
Overwatch 2's New Mauga Skin Adds Sound Effects to Pec Dance | HappyGamer
Overwatch 2's new Mauga skin introduces custom sound effects for his 'pec dance' emote, adding a unique auditory detail to the cosmetic. This attention to detail in character design and cosmetics is highlighted as a way Blizzard aims to make each item feel special and worth the investment for players.
Blizzard – toppar, floppar och omöjliga förväntningar
Blizzard Entertainment has a storied history marked by both critical acclaim and fan disappointment, from the groundbreaking Warcraft, Diablo, and Starcraft series to the monumental success of World of Warcraft. Despite challenges with titles like Diablo 3 and Warcraft 3: Reforged, and a shift towards monetization, the company continues to be a significant force in the gaming industry, with its legacy often judged against its past triumphs.
Overwatch Fan's Incredible D.va Cosplay Takes Reddit by Storm | HappyGamer
A D.va cosplay created by fan Jiahoon_O has gained significant attention on the r/Overwatch subreddit, receiving over 1,370 upvotes and numerous positive comments. The detailed craftsmanship of the costume highlights D.va's enduring popularity as a character for cosplay within the Overwatch community.
