Overwatch 2, the sequel to Blizzard Activision’s beloved 2016 team shooter, will officially launch on October 4, 2022 and will usher in a new era for the game. Firstly, Overwatch 2, unlike its predecessor, will be entirely free to play, with enabled cross-platform gameplay and progression. In addition, Overwatch 2 will be moving into a seasonal model where new content will be delivered to the game every nine weeks to mark the start of a new season.
OVERWATCH 2 SEASON 1
Each season will feature new experiences and new ways to play, including either a new hero or a new map, alternating between seasons. Each season will also come equipped with a new Battle Pass with more than 80 unlockable tiers of cosmetic items. This means that Overwatch is officially getting rid of loot boxes, and instead, you can use the brand new in-game shop to spend your Overwatch Coins and unlock featured cosmetics that rotate each week. Season One’s featured cosmetics will host a cyber punk theme, while future seasons will host a myriad of different themes, yet to be announced.
The Shop will also feature what Blizzard is calling a “Just For You” section that offers personalised items based on what you prefer to play and equip in-game as well as rotating bundles to celebrate special occasions and moments in the community.
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The Battle Pass is free for everyone, but you can choose to upgrade to the premium Battle Pass to unlock premium tier rewards. It’s worth noting that while some items will only be available via the premium Battle Pass track, such as XP boosts and mythic hero skins, new unlockable heroes will always be earnable through the free Battle Pass track. If a player misses the opportunity to unlock a new hero via the Battle Pass, Blizzard has assured us that there will be other ways to access that character in the future, though we don’t have the full details just yet. To read more about Overwatch 2’s newest character Kiriko, click here.
Battle Pass progression is pretty predictable; players must earn XP to increase their Battle Pass tier and access additional rewards. Aside from winning matches and playing the game a whole hell of a lot, players can also earn XP by completing challenges; daily challenges, weekly challenges, seasonal challenges, competitive challenges, ongoing challenges and challenges that are specific to each playable hero.
The Overwatch 2 Premium Battle Pass costs 1000 Overwatch Coins or the equivalent of A$14.95 but is already included in the Overwatch 2: Watchpoint Pack for those who have pre-ordered it. Overwatch 2 launches on October 4, 2022, on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5 and PC via Battlenet.
