Overwatch 2 release date, new free-to-play model revealed

Overwatch 2 will launch on Oct. 4 as a free-to-play game, Activision Blizzard announced Sunday alongside Microsoft’s Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. The October launch for the hero-based shooter is being called an “early access” release for the player-versus-player component of Overwatch 2, and will bring at least two new heroes — Sojourn and Junker Queen — to the Overwatch roster.

The sequel OverwatchThe game will launch with two additional maps in Toronto, one in New York City and Push. It also includes a brand new game mode called Push and several hero changes that were in beta testing since early-2022. Overwatch 2 will also usher in the new five-versus-five team composition that’s been in testing and played in the Overwatch League.

Blizzard didn’t provide any release dates. Overwatch 2’s mission-based PvE component, which is still in development.

In Blizzard’s announcement trailer, the developer also showed off new character designs and cosmetics for portions of the cast, including previously unrevealed tweaks to D.Va and Symmetra. Blizzard stated that it will reveal additional details. Overwatch 2In a separate stream, June 16

Overwatch 2When it launches on October 1, the game will launch for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (Windows PC), Xbox One (Xbox One) and Xbox Series X. It will allow cross-platform progress and play across all platforms.