Is Overwatch Dead?

Overwatch was once one of the most popular games in the world. With millions of players across the globe logging into this fast-paced, team-based FPS game, it seemed as though it would be the undisputed king of the genre for a long time.

However, in recent years, many people have disputed the health of this game and how long it can last for. 

So is Overwatch dead? If you’re wondering about this, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to take a detailed look at Overwatch’s player count, development, and what the future may hold.

We’ve also made sure to include a short FAQ that will take you through anything else you might be wondering about.

A Short History Of Overwatch

Overwatch was released in May 2016 and quickly became one of the most popular games in the world. The game is a team-based shooter that features a variety of heroes with unique abilities and playstyles.

Overwatch was praised for its engaging gameplay, unique characters, rich lore, and vibrant art style. 

The game’s popularity continued to grow over the next few years, with the Overwatch League being established in 2018.

The league featured professional teams from around the world competing in regular season matches and playoffs.

This was a real push toward establishing Overwatch as one of the premier Esports in the world. At first, the league was a huge success, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the matches and support their favorite teams.

Despite the game’s success, there were some concerns about its longevity. Some players complained about the lack of updates and new content, while others felt that the game had become too repetitive.

This led to some speculation that Overwatch might be dying and that the game was past its prime. 

The Release Of Overwatch 2

The recent release of Overwatch 2 was a major event for the game.

Blizzard announced this sequel all the way back in 2019, where they explained the game would have some major changes, as well as a PVE (Player vs. Environment) mode to progress the general formula and create something different for players. 

However, the development of Overwatch 2 has been a strange experience for gamers, breaking the norm of what game developers usually do.

After the release of the final Overwatch 1 hero Echo, Blizzard announced that there would be no further updates to Overwatch 1 while they worked and perfected Overwatch 2.

This led players to be sad about the state of the previous game, while excited for the release of something new.

One part of the announcement cycle for Overwatch 2 that had players confused, was when Blizzard announced that Overwatch 2 would be free-to-play, with current Overwatch 1 accounts simply being upgraded to Overwatch 2.

The idea was that players would keep all of their old skins and cosmetics as the game progressed to a new state.

Another important announcement was that the standard game mode of 6v6 (2 tanks, 2 DPS, and 2 healer heroes) would switch to 5v5, with the removal of 1 tank from the game. This meant that Overwatch 2 deviated from the original format of Overwatch. 

Overwatch 2 was eventually launched without the aforementioned PVE mode, with an official patch converting Overwatch 1 into Overwatch 2 overnight.

As it stands, Overwatch 2 is now a free-to-play game with a battle pass and cosmetics purchasable on the in-game store.

Although the launch was mostly a success, some players have wondered about the overall player population as we go forward into the future.

What Is The Current Population Of Overwatch 2

Blizzard Entertainment doesn’t release exact game figures, but it is believed that after the launch of Overwatch 2, the game has seen a healthy player base return.

The change from 6v6 to 5v5 has been warmly received by players, and the new constant update cycle has allowed players to always have something new to be playing, whether it’s a new hero, map, or cosmetic skins to chase after.

At the moment, it can be believed that Overwatch 2 sees up to 1.5 million players per day, meaning that no matter when you play, there is always likely to be a game ready for you.

Because of this, we can say that Overwatch 2 is an extremely healthy game and has no chance of ‘dying’ any time soon.

Final Thoughts

Although many players wish to go back to the glory days of Overwatch 1, where League was extremely popular and the game’s limit felt uncapped, it’s clear that we will continue to see progression and changes.

That said, if you’re wondering whether or not Overwatch 2 is a dead game, you should know that it won’t be going anywhere any time soon, as it has a healthy player base and renewed focus from the dev team at Blizzard.

With new updates and heroes being added to the game, you can expect great things to come over the next few years of the game’s life cycle.

We hope that this article has adequately explained some of the history and current state of Overwatch. If you still have some questions, keep reading for our short FAQ section.

We wish you the best of luck in your next Overwatch session and hope you have a blast with this now-iconic FPS game. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Did Overwatch Get Rid Of 6v6?

One of the big problems in Overwatch 1 ranked gameplay was a stagnant meta-game that revolved around powerful tanks with shields.

This meant that DPS players felt less effective, team fights were longer and less dynamic, and the game had a much slower pace.

Blizzard chose to remove a tank hero from each team to create a more exciting experience for players.

Are Tanks More Powerful In Overwatch 2?

Since there is now only 1 tank per team, the tank heroes all feel much more powerful in Overwatch 2.

This is a change made to the game that many players enjoy, though some do miss the collaborative experience of tank gameplay.