After thirteen seasons Overwatch 2 has announced the return of 6v6 in playtests for Season 14. While Season 13 focuses on refining 5v5 through ongoing experimentation, the reintroduction of 6v6 aims to address a long-standing community debate. Notably, Team 4 had previously stated that they had not originally envisioned a world where 5v5 and 6v6 coexisted. However, there are now indications that 6v6 could become a permanent addition depending on community feedback Overwatch 2.
While the idea of a return of 6v6 play has various pros and cons, the timing seems anything but coincidental. With 2024 shaping up to be a momentous year for hero shooters, several titles in the genre have made a splash, even if not all of them have been successful. The most notable include: deadlock And Marvel RivalsThe latter only starts eleven days earlier Overwatch 26v6 testing.
Related
Overwatch 2 could be working on a new “key feature”.
Although the details are murky, Blizzard is apparently working on something big for Overwatch 2, with a “big feature” in development.
Overwatch 2 is planning its 6v6 playtests for December
Marvel Rivals officially launches on December 6th
The hero shooter genre has been experiencing a wave of new entries lately, with more on the way. While Strinowa is called a mixture of Overwatch 2 And Valorant, Marvel Rivals is characterized by its iconic comic characters and nostalgic 6v6 gameplay reminiscent of classics Overwatch. Of course, while similarities between Marvel Rivals And Overwatch 2 There are many, the third-person perspective and various team combinations are used to carefully create a unique super-powered experience.
Given that Blizzard is planning 6v6 testing for December and January, the timing seems calculated, especially since it's been over two years since the game's release. Since Overwatch 2Initial intentions were shared, players have expressed concerns about it OverwatchMoving to 5v5 introduces issues such as increased pressure on a single tank, especially off-tanks. Although the transition to 5v5 was an adjustment period that resulted in new playstyles and strategies in the first few seasons of Overwatch 2Balance problems persist. Over time, this has incentivized tank players to play hard meta games, which in previous rotations have included controversial heroes like Mauga, Orisa, and D.Va.
Team 4 did not officially address the 5v5 vs. 6v6 debate until July 2024 Marvel Rivals held its first closed alpha in May. While this may be a coincidence, it's likely that Team 4 wants to give its player base something to expect within Blizzard's IP, especially after the success of both games Marvel Rivals Playtests.
Interestingly in the Group up! Podcast in August, Overwatch 2 Game Director Aaron Keller and Lead Hero Designer Alec Dawson commented on the existence of Marvel Rivalsand explained that it would be fascinating to watch how these other games evolve over time. The two agreed: “Competition is good. He’s healthy and it’s starting to become clear what matters.” [their] also the game special. Therefore, it is clear that Blizzard is aware of this.Overwatch Clones” and Overwatch-inspired projects, which could mean that the 6v6 playtest schedule in the sequel made sense.
Although the question was targeted
Marvel Rivals,
the developers of
Overwatch 2
didn't mention NetEase Games' upcoming shooter by name.
Nevertheless, the gaming landscape offers plenty of room for several hero shooter titles to coexist harmoniously. Overwatch 2The engine and mechanics are distinctive hallmarks of the game Marvel Rivals will likely attract comic fans and third-person enthusiasts. With both new and established titles shaping the genre, it will be interesting to see how each title helps evolve the other.