Overwatch 2 is set to launch on October 5, 2022 (AEST) as a free-to-play live game, kicking off with the game’s first Season of content that is set to bring new maps, modes, and new heroes like Sojourn and the recently announced Aussie addition, Junker Queen. Overwatch 2’s biggest fundamental change, in terms of gameplay, is a switch from the original’s 6v6 to a new 5v5 setup for its core competitive play.

Although the October 5 launch was announced as an Early Access release of sorts it’s probably best to view this as a proper launch as Overwatch 2 will also replace Overwatch 1 in that the original will transition to become a part of Overwatch 2 at launch. This is a strange one because the original game, in its current state, will no longer be playable - with fan-favourite maps and modes to become a part of Overwatch 2 going forward.


Watch the Full Overwatch 2 Reveal Presentation

With the launch happening in October, let’s break down everything you need to know about Overwatch 2. From PVP to PVE, to console Betas, and more.

5v5 and the Competitive Overhaul

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Going from 6v6 to 5v5 is a pretty monumental shift for Overwatch, and in terms of that one-less number it means we’ll see one less Tank character per team jump into the fight. This will fundamentally change things like crown-control, shielding, and other stuff Tanks brought to match flow. So much so that all of the existing Tank characters in Overwatch (Reinhardt, D.va, Roadhog, Winston, Zarya, Wrecking Ball, Sigma, and Orisa) are being reworked and changed to accommodate more aggressive, game-changing play-styles. Blizzard notes that Overwatch 2 is all about making players feel like they’re having an impact in each encounter. This will carry over to progression too, with additional systems being added to measure contributions as part of a wide overhaul to the competitive side of Overwatch.

Overwatch 2 is Free-to-Play

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Unlike the original, Overwatch 2 will be free-to-play. According to Blizzard, the move “is a natural step forward for our game and our players” as Overwatch 2 will “remove the barrier to entry, allowing anyone, anywhere can jump into the game, group up with friends, or find people to play with online”. With Overwatch 2 coming to PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, there will also be support for cross-progression for players to keep their progress, stats, and unlocked content no matter what platform they’re playing on. Which is very cool to see.

Loot Boxes Are Out, Battle Pass is In

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The Loot Box rewards from the original Overwatch are going away, with Blizzard confirming unequivocally that “there will be no Loot Boxes in Overwatch 2”. The shift to free-to-play means players can bypass the RNG of opening up loot boxes by purchasing cosmetic items directly from an in-game storefront. As we’ve seen in most live service games in recent years, Overwatch 2 will also feature a Battle Pass - that will unlock new items via Seasonal progression. And on that front Seasons will last 9-weeks, with Blizzard set to add substantial new content, including new cosmetic items, as each new Season rolls around. As per the image above one of the new cosmetic items in Overwatch 2 arrives in the form of gun charms.

Seasons and Roadmap

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As per above, Overwatch 2’s launch on October 5 will see the arrival of Season 1 - which taking the original game as the base bit of content - sees the addition of 3 New Heroes, 6 New Maps, 30+ Skins, and more. It will present the very first Battle Pass too, as well as something the team is calling a Mythic Skin. As for the new heroes, this includes Sojourn, Junkler Queen, and a still-to-be-announced support hero.

Season 2 is set to kick off on December 6 and will introduce a new tank hero into the roster alongside a new map, new skins, new Battle Pass, and more. This 9-week cadence will continue in 2023 with Blizzard pointing to more heroes, maps, and modes set to arrive. Plus, 2023 will see the arrival of PVE gameplay - something that has been showcased in the past, which are missions and modes with their own separate progression built around co-operative play.

“Our plan is to deliver a steady drumbeat of new content every nine weeks through free seasonal updates, ensuring that there’s always something new to play, chase, and unlock in Overwatch 2,” game director Aaron Keller says. To accommodate all of this the Overwatch 2 team at Blizzard is now triple the size of what it was when the first game launched, and there has been a number of changes to the structure to ensure the team is always working on multiple new heroes and multiple new maps at any given point, in addition to PVE content and broader, bigger updates.

Junker Queen Deep Dive - A New Hero Rises

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Junker Queen, as per above, is the new Australian Junkertown hero being added to the roster and will arrive when Overwatch 2 launches. Junker Queen (real name ‘Odessa “Dez” Stone’) is a new Tank character clad in imposing armour, and that’s imposing in the sense that she’s actually seven-feet tall. Although a Tank, Junker Queen is a fast character, and in many ways blurs the lines between hulking defence and straight up damage. She can also boost her team in much the same way Lucio’s speed boost works, which will make the two of them something of a deadly combination. Her primary weapon is a shotgun, and her Commanding Shout ability gives nearby teammates (and her) a temporary buff to health and movement speed. Junker Queen’s Ultimate is called Rampage, and it’s a suitably swirling whirlwind of junk that does damage in addition to applying debuffs on anyone it hits.

Overwatch 2 PVE Will Tell a Complete Story

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Although PVE content for Overwatch 2 won’t arrive until sometime in 2023, as per the big cinematic reveal, the story will focus on the Overwatch team getting back together after Null Sector attacks. According to Blizzard, the story will unfold in-game in a linear fashion, and will tell a complete story.

Overwatch 2’s Next Beta Kicks Off On June 28

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And it marks the first time the game will be playable on consoles (PlayStation and Xbox) in addition to PC (via Battle.net). This Beta will include cross-play support plus introduce Junker Queen, and hybrid map Rio. Which sits on top of the revamped heroes, maps, and modes already present. The Beta will run from June 28 through to July 18 - and you’ll need to sign up for access here. Players who purchase the Overwatch 2: Watchpoint Pack ($60 AUD), which comes with skins, in-game currency, and the original game, will get immediate access to the Beta.

On the PC side, here’s the PC requirements for the upcoming Beta (which should be indicative of the full launch requirements for October):

Minimum (targeting 30fps):

Windows 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack)
Processor: Intel Core i3 or AMD Phenom X3 8650
Video: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600 series, AMD Radeon HD 7000 series
Memory: 6 GB RAM
Storage: 50 GB available hard drive space

Recommended (targeting 60fps on Medium settings):

Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit (latest Service Pack)
Processor: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 5
Video: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD R9 380
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Storage: 50 GB available hard drive space