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BlizzCon 2021: No Overwatch 2 release date, but 2022 launch looks likely

By Matthew Liebl

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 25: The Overwatch logo developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment is displayed during the 'Paris Games Week' on October 25, 2018 in Paris, France. 'Paris Games Week' is an international trade fair for video games and runs from October 26 to 31, 2018. Pro during the 'Paris Games Week' on October 25, 2018 in Paris, France. 'Paris Games Week' is an international trade fair for video games and runs from October 26 to 31, 2018. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 25: The Overwatch logo developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment is displayed during the 'Paris Games Week' on October 25, 2018 in Paris, France. 'Paris Games Week' is an international trade fair for video games and runs from October 26 to 31, 2018. Pro during the 'Paris Games Week' on October 25, 2018 in Paris, France. 'Paris Games Week' is an international trade fair for video games and runs from October 26 to 31, 2018. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images) /
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Blizzard didn’t announce a release date for Overwatch 2 during BlizzCon this weekend, but fans were treated to an extensive behind-the-scenes panel for the highly anticipated sequel.

We got a glimpse of some new maps, PvP changes, Hero Missions and Story Mode, Hero Progression, and much more. It was probably our best look yet at the game and while we don’t have a solid release date, we at least have a general idea of the progress that has been made since Overwatch 2 was first announced in 2019.

“Right now we can sit down and have a night of Overwatch 2 and have it be a really fun experience” the team revealed during the live stream. “And I think we need some more time until we can say it’s perfectly polished in the way we want it.”

If you watched the behind-the-scenes live stream, you probably have a sense of the type of work Blizzard has been putting into the game. There is such intricate detail in every aspect of the game’s development — from the audio to the visuals to the actual mechanics, Overwatch 2 is a huge undertaking. And while some of us may take something as simple as the color of Reaper’s gun for granted, it’s actually kind of impressive that it’s such a big deal to the folks on the team.

Of course, this attention to detail is also probably the reason Overwatch 2 likely won’t be releasing this year. We don’t actually have a launch date for Overwatch 2, but Activision’s latest investors call for Q4 2020 made it seem like the game won’t be shipped until 2022.

“For Overwatch 2, we’re upping the bar. It’s kind of five games in one. It’s a huge undertaking,” the team added.

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There’s no denying Overwatch 2 is grander in every sense compared to its predecessor. In addition to the changes to PvP and new maps, the game will also offer what feels like a robust PvE experience that includes hundreds of Hero Missions along with a full-fledged story mode that required extra work in remodeling the heroes and expanding the cinematics.

“The thing that I’m most excited about is that moment when we hand the game over to the players,” concluded game director Jeff Kaplan. “We create the game because we want it to become part of your life and for you to experience it.”

light. Related Story. How Overwatch 2 is changing the Tank role

We don’t quite know when we’ll be able to experience Overwatch 2, but if I had to guess — early 2022 seems most likely right now.

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