Update:
Blizzard has confirmed that Overwatch 2 will be free-to-play, with early access launch scheduled for October.
Original story:
It looks like Overwatch‘s multiplayer is going free-to-play and an announcement could possibly be set for later today at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2024. The Snitch, a relatively new leaker with an impeccable record thus far, posted a not-so-cryptic tweet that implies that the game is going free-to-play. Considering every single announcement leaked by The Snitch has been accurate, it’s only a matter of time before we get an official confirmation. If not today, we’ll hear something about it in due course.
What Overwatch free-to-play means for Overwatch 2
We are hope.
We are honour.
We are courage.
We are justice.
We are compassion.
We are determination.
We are harmony.
We are free to play.— The Snitch (@insider_wtf) June 11, 2024
Those who’ve played and followed Overwatch will probably be familiar with these lines. Known insider Tom Henderson responded to The Snitch with the following gif featuring Wrecking Ball and Hanzo, pretty much confirming the theory.
pic.twitter.com/7s9Gp4u3HC
— Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) June 11, 2024
Since Overwatch’s PvP multiplayer aspect is going to be unified between both games, it means Overwatch 2‘s multiplayer will be free-to-play as well. However, the upcoming game comes with a campaign as well so that part is likely to be sold as a standalone experience or it could be bundled with some kind of bonuses to be used in multiplayer.
Opinion: Going free-to-play might breathe new life into Overwatch
Zarmena writes… Overwatch is my most-played game from last gen and it still holds a special place in my heart, but I’d be lying if I said I have the urge to go back and pick it up again. Things stalled. The events kept getting recycled, the cosmetics were no longer enticing enough to work for, and the queues continued to get longer and longer on the PS4. Perhaps, going free-to-play is the right way forward as long as it guarantees ample content to keep players coming back.
In other news, Microsoft has said that any multiplatform game it acquires will remain multiplatform, and Street Fighter 6 will have cross-play.
