Blizzard has opened up signups for the upcoming Overwatch 2 PvP beta, which it’s planning to open late next month. There are also some new details on what to expect when the beta opens, including a new hero, new modes, and new maps.
With work on Overwatch 2 having been quiet for some time, many likely wondered just when we’d see movement on the game. Well, it seems like the answer to that is this spring.
Game Director Aaron Keller is featured in a video on just where the game is and even touches on the previously disappointing lack of communication to players:
“We recognize we haven’t communicated well, haven’t kept you up to date, and honestly, we’ve let you down when it comes to delivering Overwatch content.” He then pledges that more communication and updates will be coming and in their rework of Overwatch 2, that they’re aiming to be sure it will be a living game with regular content updates.
For now, they’re separating the PvP features to get that mode to players sooner and separate it from the PvE experience (which is set to follow).
The now 5v5 PvP beta next month will bring a new hero, Sojourn, along with hero reworks for Orisa, Doomfist, Sombra, and Bastion. This first PvP beta also has a new ping system.
There will be four new maps to play on. The new maps include two returning modes, with Circuit Royal, a new Escort map, and Midtown, a Hybrid map. Both New Queen Street and Colosseo are new Push maps. Push is a brand new mode debuting in the PvP beta, so it makes sense that two of the new maps feature this mode.
A closed alpha for Blizzard employees and select Overwatch pros begins this week, but if you’d like to be part of the first PvP beta test next month, you can sign up here.
