Rumors have surfaced that Blizzard may be considering some changes to the maps inOverwatch 2, including adding weather effects and destructible environments. If adding destructible environments to a hero shooter sounds familiar, it may be becauseOverwatch 2might have taken inspiration from an upcoming competitor.
In a recent survey, players were asked questions regardingnew maps and features forOverwatch 2, leading many to believe that changes are coming to the game’s arenas. Notably, an entirely new map based on a Mars colony was teased, as well as new effects and hazards that would go along with it. The idea of the game adding new content is hardly newsworthy, as new heroes and maps are added frequently, but the likely reason behind these potential map changes is. Fans of the hero shooter genre no doubt know thatMarvel Rivals, Marvel’s take on the genre, is due to debut next month. With rumors of destructible environments headed toOverwatch 2, it leaves players wondering if Blizzard might have borrowed the idea in order to help compete withOverwatch 2’s newest rival.
Overwatch 2’s New Map Features Might Help it Stay Alive
The timing of new environmental effects inOverwatch 2is slightly suspect given the upcoming arrival of a game that some are calling the ‘OverwatchKiller.’ WhetherMarvel Rivalstakes down the gaming giant is yet to be seen, but the company does bring with it some attention-grabbing heroes along with a lot of hype from comic fans. Becausedestructible environments are confirmed forMarvel Rivals’ release, the same feature being added toOverwatch 2may be Blizzard’s attempt to stay on equal footing.
Blizzard choosing to implement weather effects is also a very interesting development. This is a feature thatMarvel Rivalsdoesn’t have, except for the powers of Storm, which only affect certain targets. Some may see the implementation of weather in addition to destructible environments as a way to try and 1-upMarvel Rivalsby including even more stage-related effects, but there is the possibility that this is just a coincidence.Overwatch 2was planned to feature weather effectsearly on, so the new hazards might just be the result of a long development process, although the timing is very convenient if that is the case.
Will Overwatch 2 Survive Marvel Rivals’ Release
The idea thatMarvel Rivalscould kill the fan base ofOverwatch 2isn’t a new one. As soon as the media powerhouse of Marvel revealed a game in the same genre, people began to compare the two. WithOverwatch2’s rocky release, some players from the era of the classicOverwatchnever rejoined the game, leaving a prime player base forMarvel Rivalsto earn. The game’s preview period saw success too, though some who got to experience it reported that the two games are only similar because they are in the same genre. That may be a good sign forOverwatch 2, showing thatMarvel Rivalsisn’t actively trying to poach its players. However, intentional or not, fans of the hero shooter genre may choose to try the new game in favor of the old one, at least when it first hits consoles.Marvel Rivalshas big plans for its player base when it releases on December 6th, soOverwatch 2may need to fight back.
The next season ofOverwatch 2begins on December 15th, almost a week after the release ofMarvel Rivals. In theory, this might be enough time for players to experience the new game, then jump back toOverwatch 2for the new content. The release window of the season feels in some ways targeted, because Blizzard surely knows thatOverwatch 2’s 14th season must be successfulin order to stay afloat. With a new hero debuting in season 14, as well as the recent addition of theOverwatch: Classic mode, Blizzard is clearly doing all it can to appeal to players new and old in response to what might be a very strong rival in its genre.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
