Following its 2016 release, Overwatch quickly became one of the marquee FPS video games and, to some degree, still is.
Blizzard Entertainment's take on the popular genre made waves as the game took gunplay and abilities and fused them together into an FPS, MOBA hybrid. To top it off it also showcased hard-hitting, diverse characters with seemingly endless storyline possibilities that thousands of players could identify with.
However, as the years have passed, Overwatch was quickly overshadowed by the popular Battle Royale style FPS, as not only did it bring crossplay and something new to the FPS genre, but it also introduced a free-to-play model that relied heavily on features such as Battle Passes. Something that now Overwatch is looking to adopt with its sequel, Overwatch 2.
As we approach the release of Overwatch 2, many former players have one question - is Overwatch 2 free to play for Overwatch players?
Is Overwatch 2 free to play for Overwatch 1 players?
As it stands right now, Overwatch 2 will be free to play for those that own Overwatch and even those that don't!
This was confirmed after Blizzard revealed that the sequel to their popular title will release on October 4, 2022 as an "early access" game that will be a "free-to-play live experience." This means that anyone can join, play and take part in what Blizzard described as an "always-on, always-evolving live service."
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Overwatch 2 Gameplay
Apart from its highly-awaited PvE component which has yet to be formally revealed but is expected to release sometime in 2023, there are tons of new features and content that players can look forward to when it comes to Overwatch 2.
The switch from 5v5 to 6v6 and several UI changes will be implemented, the hero reworks of Bastion, Doomfist, and Orisa will be live, five new maps will be added to the rotation, and new heroes Sojourn, Junker Queen, and the yet-to-be-announced new support hero will all be playable.
Additionally, the new Push mode will be added, players will have a revamped scoreboard to interact with, and lastly, the new ping system will be a part of the game.
Overwatch 2 will also introduce a completely new feature for the title—the usage of Battle Passes. With Battle Passes, Blizzard will be ditching the controversial loot boxes. There will be both free and paid-for alternatives for each Battle Pass and like passes in other games, players will be able to earn a myriad of rewards. The rewards could include anything from skins and sprays to XP boosts and more.
READ MORE: Overwatch 2 Schedule: All Seasons, Beta Phases, and Updates