After a long radio silence, Overwatch 2 is back and invites you to the PvP beta surprisingly early. Blizzard also apologises to fans
After Overwatch 2 attracted rather negative headlines in 2021, the shooter is now apparently approaching the release with big steps: As the official Twitter channel announces, the PC beta will already start in April 2022. In addition, game director Aaron Keller announces a better communication strategy and regular updates for Overwatch 2.
Overwatch2 PVP Beta is coming soon.
🎮 OW2 PVP Beta begins late April
🍁 New heroes, maps, and modes
✋ Beta Sign Up https://t.co/jC3gYjfdBc
💯 It’s been 0 days since the last Overwatch 2 update pic.twitter.com/OFg0DAqJQR– Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) March 10, 2022
A closed alpha test phase for professional players, Blizzard employees and other privileged participants is already underway, and from the end of April fans will also be able to try it out. Here are the most important key data:
What’s in the beta?
The beta initially only contains the PvP part, the new story mode is not playable. The beta includes the following content:
- 5vs5 mode (instead of like 6vs6 in Overwatch 1)
- New heroine Sojourn
- 4 new maps
- New game mode Push
- 4 revised heroes (Orisa, Doomfist, Bastion, Sombra)
- New ping system
Blizzard also informs that they would like to put the PvP mode “in the hands of the players as early as possible”. That is why the decision was made to decouple the PvE part. The developers of Halo Infinite took a similar approach when they released the free2play multiplayer before the campaign and co-op.
How do I sign up for the beta?
Those who want to try out the new features of Overwatch 2 from the end of April can sign up for the beta in a few simple steps. Here’s how to do it:
* Visit the (official beta website) for Overwatch 2
* Click on the button “Sign up now ”
* Log in with your Battle.net account when registering
* Click the “Register Now” button.
* Now you are pre-registered for the beta
Blizzard: “We have failed you “
The beta announcement is accompanied by a video in which game director Aaron Keller apologises to Overwatch fans: “We haven’t delivered enough content and we’re sorry for that. We promise to deliver more frequent and regular content for Overwatch 2.”
He also announced more beta testing later in 2022 – including all-new heroes. You can see Keller’s full video message here:
Overwatch 2 had been announced at Blizzcon 2019, but kept facing setbacks – such as the departure of director Jeff Kaplan, which devastated many fans.
One of the most important innovations of Overwatch 2 is a stand-alone story mode for solo players, which will also be playable in co-op. Multiplayer, on the other hand, will build on the existing concept of the first Overwatch – with innovations such as talent trees, hero reworks or the new Push mode.
