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At the time of writing, Blizzard has shut down the online servers for its popular first-person Hero shooter, Overwatch, in the lead-up to the launch of Overwatch 2. And because there seem to be many questions popping up from the Overwatch community, this guide will cover the answers to some most-searched queries online at the moment to prepare players (new and old) for Overwatch 2's big launch. Let's get into it.
When Does Overwatch 2 Launch?
According to a blog post from Blizzard, Overwatch 2's release time across all platforms is approximately noon PT on Tuesday, October 4.
Is Overwatch 2 Free to Play?
Overwatch 2 can be downloaded and played without paying a dollar. However, there will be a paid Battle Pass at launch that can be bought using Overwatch Coins, which can be earned by completing in-game challenges or can be purchased with real-world money at the shop. Players can unlock the new Heroes without grinding by getting the paid Battle Pass.
Is Overwatch 1 Still Playable?
Unfortunately, Overwatch 1 will cease to exist and be absorbed into the sequel. As of the time of writing, the first game's servers have been shut down.
How Do I Transfer Overwatch 1 Skins to Overwatch 2?
With cross-progression finally coming to Overwatch, players will be able to carry over their hard-earned cosmetic items into the sequel. However, to do so, Overwatch fans will need to merge their console Overwatch accounts to their Battle.net account. To do so, follow these steps from Blizzard:
- Log in to Overwatch from the console account.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to scan a QR Code on players' mobile phones.
- Enter the code displayed on the console to connect to or create a Blizzard Battle.net Account.
- Once complete, gamers will be prompted to confirm their account upon the next game login to merge their accounts.
Keep in mind that players will only have one chance to merge the correct account, so be careful when choosing the option.
What's Changed in Overwatch 2
The most significant and exciting change coming to Overwatch 2 is moving from six-player teams to five-player teams. And because of this, many Overwatch characters have received major reworks.
There will also be a seasonal model this time, giving players new heroes, maps, and cosmetics every nine weeks. And a new game mode called 'Push' is also being added to Overwatch 2, where both teams fight to take control of a robot on the map to push a barricade to the opponent's side to achieve victory.
How to Activate SMS Protection
Because Overwatch 2 is free to play, Blizzard will require all players to attach a phone number to their Battle.net account if they want to jump into the hero shooter. Blizzard states that the numbers are needed to help protect players from "disruptive in-game behavior."
To activate SMS protection, complete the following steps:
- Log into your Battle.net account and go to "Account Details."
- Add your phone number and click Continue.
- Players will get a code sent to their cell phone --enter the code into the field on the website.
Who are the New Overwatch 2 Heroes
Overwatch 2 will launch with three new heroes, but Blizzard will add more as time goes on. The three new heroes so far are Kiriko, Junker Queen, and Sojourn, who are Support, Tank, and Damage types, respectively.
Can You Preload Overwatch 2?
Overwatch 2 can be preloaded, but the timing is different based on the platform. For PC players and those that own the Watchpoint Pack, Overwatch 2's preloading started on September 30 --the file is around 50 GB.
For returning console players, Overwatch 2's preload starts a couple of hours before launch at 9 AM PT on October 4 --it's around 30GB.
Will Overwatch 2 Be on Switch?
Overwatch 2 will launch on the Nintendo Switch simultaneously with the other platforms.
Overwatch 2 launches on October 4, 2022, for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.