Is Overwatch 2 A New Game?

The Heroes Must Go... For Now

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Is Overwatch 2 a new game? That’s something many are wondering thanks to the confused and mixed messaging from Activision-Blizzard.

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We’re here to answer both that question and the question of what’s going to happen to Overwatch 1.

Is Overwatch 2 A New Game?

Yes, Overwatch 2 is a brand-new game. It’s launching as a free-to-play release and one that people will have to unlock everything in, even if they’ve already played the original Overwatch.

READ MORE: Overwatch 2 Release Time

That’s not to say original fans are being left completely in the cold though, as they’ll be given access to the following:

• Founder’s Pack
• 2 Skins For Doomfist
• 2 Skins For Sombra
• Profile Icon
• Kiriko For Free On Launch

What’s Going To Happen To Overwatch 1?

As was stated by Blizzard’s Jon Spector:

“So roughly a day before Overwatch 2 launches, we’re going to be taking down the Overwatch 1 servers,”

READ MORE: Overwatch 2’s SMS Protect policy is causing controversy with fans

“So that means, as a practical point, that October 2nd really is the last day to go in and play Overwatch 1. And then it’s a 27-hour downtime that we’re planning in order to get the Overwatch 2 server stood up and running.”

Overwatch 1 is indeed being shut down, but it’ll be superseded by the brand new Overwatch 2. This new title will have both a standard and a premium battle pass, with the former being free to all players and the latter costing actual money, giving access to the following:

• Immediate access to Kiriko
• 20% XP Battle Pass Boost
• 1 Mythic Skin
• 5 Legendary Skins and 1 Epic Skin
• 3 Play of the Game Intros
• 4 Weapon Charms
• 3 Emotes
• 3 Souvenirs
• 6 Poses
• 6 Name Cards
• 30+ additional cosmetic rewards

Overwatch 2 FAQs

Is Overwatch 1 Being Shut Down?

Yes, on October 2nd 2022.

Will Overwatch 2 Be Free?

The short answer is: Yes. Overwatch 2 will be free.

The long answer is still yes, but with a few caveats. Akin to similar games of this ilk such as Apex Legends and Fortnite, you’ll be able to purchase a battle pass for the game. This battle pass will allow you to unlock customization options and new characters along the way.

This has drawn several complaints from people who would rather have the entire game unlocked at the start and who believe that the battle pass should only serve to accentuate customization options, but Activision-Blizzard has already committed to making characters unlockable through this system, so it’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

What Happens To Previous Progression?

Overwatch 1 Owners Will Receive The Following Items:

• Founder’s Pack
• 2 Skins For Doomfist
• 2 Skins For Sombra
• Profile Icon
• Kiriko For Free On Launch

What’s in the first Overwatch 2 Battle Pass?

• Immediate access to Kiriko
• 20% XP Battle Pass Boost
• 1 Mythic Skin
• 5 Legendary Skins and 1 Epic Skin
• 3 Play of the Game Intros
• 4 Weapon Charms
• 3 Emotes
• 3 Souvenirs
• 6 Poses
• 6 Name Cards
• 30+ additional cosmetic rewards