Overwatch 2 will replace Overwatch at launch, Blizzard confirms

Overwatch 2
(Image credit: Activision Blizzard)

When Overwatch 2 launches in October, it'll be a "replacement for the current Live Service" in the first Overwatch.

The development team at Blizzard behind Overwatch 2 recently held a Reddit 'ask me anything' session with the game's community. When one player asked what the launch of Overwatch 2 in early access in October this year would mean for the original game, one developer on the game revealed that it would effectively be replacing the current live service for the first Overwatch.

In other words, Overwatch will cease to exist when Overwatch 2 eventually launches. "When OW2 launches on Oct 4th it will be a replacement for the current Live Service" were the developer's words in particular, leaving no room for any doubt about Overwatch 2 completely taking over the scene from the original Overwatch.

It's hardly a surprise that Blizzard would switch all resources over to its new game. Earlier this year in March, Blizzard even admitted the focus on Overwatch 2 left the original game struggling with a lack of new content, so considering this, you can see why the development team would be keen to focus on one game alone.

However, there was good news for Overwatch players to be found in the new Reddit AMA. It turns out all your currencies and loot boxes from the original game will transfer over to Overwatch 2 as soon as it enters early access, so you don't need to worry about leaving your hard-earned gains behind when you go.

Head over to our recent Overwatch 2 beta hands-on impressions to see why it made us feel like we were playing Overwatch 1.5.

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Overwatch 2
As Marvel Rivals continues to dominate hero shooters, Overwatch 2 teases "groundbreaking PvP gameplay changes" on the way
After Marvel Rivals ate its lunch, Blizzard wants Overwatch 2 to continue being the "best competitive team-based hero shooter"
Screenshots of Overwatch 2 showing teams battling it out along with new perks and a Stadium game mode in action
Overwatch 2's next seasons go hard after Marvel Rivals lit a fire under Blizzard: upgradeable perks, a big third-person mode, and loot boxes are all coming
thor looking into the camera with a steely stare
"Both Marvel Rivals and Overwatch are excellent superhero shooters" says the Chinese publisher behind both games as they make the move to China: "The market is large enough to accommodate both games"
Overwatch 2 sombra emp animation blizzard image
Marvel Rivals' success is actually "really great" for Overwatch 2, and the FPS's director says the "pressure" that Blizzard feels is mostly "internal"
Screenshots of Overwatch 2 showing teams battling it out along with new perks and a Stadium game mode in action
"This is no longer about playing it safe": Overwatch 2 game director talks Marvel Rivals and betting big on season 15
Latest in FPS
Former Valve exec recounts the meeting where Half-Life's publisher almost killed the iconic FPS: "Half-Life would quietly die. I was stunned"
FBC Firebreak screenshot for GamesRadar Big Preview showing a character throwing an electric shock grenade in a crowded room
FBC: Firebreak may be Remedy's first live-service game but the Control creators are going about it the right way, confirming that all playable post-launch content "will always be free"
"Valve would never ship another game": Former exec forced Half-Life publisher's hand by saying Gabe Newell and the team would pivot away from game dev
Gordon Freeman
Valve literally gives Half-Life away now, but 27 years ago it was carefully crushing its angry pirates: "None of them had actually bought the game"
FBC: Firebreak gameplay trailer reveal in Future Games Show: Spring Showcase
With an impressive new FBC: Firebreak trailer at the Future Games Show, Remedy confirms a Summer 2025 release window for its co-op shooter set in the Control universe
GoldenEye 007
After 28 years, competitive GoldenEye players have documented what happens when you tie in the N64 FPS: "We experienced something that was only theorised"
Latest in News
A screenshot from MindsEye showing a character leaning out of a car, shooting another car with a gun.
GTA veteran says the games industry needs to "get smarter" about what people actually want: "There are so many games, and I think we're starting to feel the effects"
Posing with a rifle in the Fallout 76 Ghoul update
Fallout 76's art director "had to fight really hard" so Bethesda would make the MMO's map bigger than Skyrim's
Minecraft movie image of Jack Black as steve
Don't expect Minecraft to go free-to-play anytime soon, as Mojang says "It doesn't really work with the way we built it"
Yasuke looking over the water to a shrine during sunset in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows has an entire island stuffed with adorable kittens you need to check out, and it's based on an actual Japanese cat paradise
phase zero key art showing zombies in a hallway
Former Witcher 3 and Dying Light devs reveal their Resident Evil homage, complete with PS1-style fixed cameras
Shadow of Mordor's Nemesis System was only created because WB Games wanted something to combat Batman Arkham Asylum's second-hand sales, exec says