When the news of Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard first hit the wires, there was quite a bit of focus on the financials of the deal. There was also plenty of talk about the controversies that have surrounded the Call of Duty and World of Warcraft publisher for the last few years. One of the things that hasn't been talked about is the very real impact this acquisition could have on the IPs changing hands. One title that could benefit from the deal is Overwatch 2. The game has evidently been in some version of development hell. Now that Microsoft is taking over ABK, it feels like Overwatch 2 fans might finally have some hope that the game will eventually be released.
There was a time, when delay after delay came for Overwatch 2, and the idea that the game was ever going to come around seemed like a fantasy. There was so much trouble surrounding the game that it also almost seemed like it might be better if the game didn't arrive. After all, there was some belief that if it did arrive under current Activision Blizzard leadership, it would be less than impressive. There were even some that believed that it might be pushed out only half-done, in order to try and take advantage of the popularity of the first and to make some money before the problems of the sequel reared its head.
Microsoft Provides A New Direction For Blizzard
While Microsoft and Xbox are not the kind of company that has never made a misstep, the company has been going quite strong under the leadership of Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer. In fact, it stands to become the third-largest video game company in the world once the deal with Activision Blizzard is finalized. It's hard not to overstate just how good a steady hand at the top of the company could be when it comes to the direction of Overwatch 2. The last time the majority of the gaming community heard about the upcoming game, it was to announce that not only had it been delayed, but it wasn't getting a new release date.
While Spencer and the rest of his company are going to have other things to focus on in the near future when it comes to Activision Blizzard, the acquisition didn't just occur so that Spencer could have a bigger company to run. Money is at the bottom line of this deal for Microsoft. Some of that money will come from being able to put games like Diablo 3 and the first Overwatch on Xbox Game Pass. There's also plenty of money to be had in making sure that the games Activision Blizzard has had trouble bringing to market, actually make it there eventually.
Both Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 are part of franchises that are quite popular. The other bonus of acquiring a company the size of ABK is that there isn't any reason why Microsoft would have to go back to the drawing board with either of these titles. The company just needs some new leadership to pick up where the games' development have left off. If people were worried that Bobby Kotick and company were going to run Overwatch 2 into the ground, a new leadership team can help assure those waiting on the game that it is coming, and it will be top quality once it gets here.
One More Delay Doesn't Spell Doom
It should be noted that even if Microsoft does decide to right this particular ship, it seems unlikely that Overwatch 2 is coming in 2022. The thing is, if gamers have to wait until 2023 for a game that's done right, that's going to help Overwatch 2 in the long run. Rushing something to market as a kind of statement that all is well and everything is fixed wouldn't be appropriate.
As long as Microsoft really does provide the steadying hand that people are hoping it does, maybe by getting rid of Bobby Kotick, there's no need to rush Overwatch 2 to market. By most accounts, there's plenty that needs to be fixed before it does eventually release. The acquisition of Activision Blizzard allows Microsoft to reboot the development process if that is what is truly needed. While that wouldn't be the best thing to happen, it wouldn't be the worst as long as the company could convince fans it's in good hands.
The wait for Overwatch 2 has been long to the point where fans were getting worried. It's been over two years since the game was announced at Blizzcon. Since then, only questions and rumors have circled the game. There was also worry that the game wasn't going to have enough different in comparison to the first Overwatch.
Most recently there's been talk about Overwatch 2 getting its graphics downgraded. None of these rumors could be seen as anything more than a game getting pushed towards release just so that Activision Blizzard could finally just get the game to market. Microsoft has been painted by many in the gaming industry as a kind of steadying hand for ABK when it comes to the acquisition. The larger company has the money and the resources to make sure that Overwatch 2 is done correctly. If acting as a steadying hand really is the goal for Phil Spencer and his crew, then there is very little doubt that it should be seen as good news for Overwatch 2 and its prospects.
Overwatch 2 is currently in development.