Overwatch has been a popular team-based shooter and this is because of frequent updates, solid mechanics, and a large character roster. While discussions about Overwatch 2 have already begun, the original game is still receiving changes. Most notably updates and changes have been tested through the experimental mode that was introduced earlier this year. A new experimental card is now set to begin fixing the issues in the Assault mode in the game.
Blizzard is using the experimental card to address snowballing and "blowout" matches. The community manager of Overwatch, Molly Fender, has explained what the company believes to be the issues. "If Point A is captured quickly and aggressively, the attacking team tends to be better equipped to quickly capture Point B as well. Since the defending team was not able to charge their ultimate abilities after a quick defeat, they will be less prepared to defend Point B." Many players will relate to this issue and it seems that the team has sympathy for those who are on the losing side of these matches. Fender added, “Losing in just a few minutes never feels good and is technically impossible in our other game modes, whose mechanics force a more balanced pace to a match.” To fix this issue the team is undertaking radical changes.
The mode will now give the first team 6 minutes to capture Point A and following this, the second team will have the opportunity to beat their time and score. This process will continue until one team cannot manage to capture points anymore and the difficulty will increase as capture points give less time to players. However, it seems that this experimental mode version of Assault will not make it into Overwatch. It appears that Blizzard has largely given up on the mode and Fender has already stated that they see the game mode as a "Failed experiment."
With that said the post by Blizzard suggests that the data and feedback they collect from the experimental mode may inform future game modes and decisions. With that in mind, players may want to try out the revamped game mode and see if it offers any clues about the direction of Overwatch 2.
Overwatch is available on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and the Nintendo Switch.
Source: Blizzard