Overwatch 2 Will Completely Replace First Game; Fans Unhappy
It turns out that Overwatch 2 will completely replace its predecessor. This is according to the words of the game's director Aaron Keller, who answered fan questions during a session on Reddit.
All signs point to the gaming market being too small for two Overwatch games existing at the same time. So far, there has been talk that both Overwatch 2 and the first Overwatch would co-exist, creating a "shared multiplayer experience."
However, in light of the recent words of the game's director, Aaron Keller, it seems that the second part will completely replace the original, which is expected to become a thing of the past upon the sequel's release.
Here comes the new thing...
During an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session held two days ago on Reddit Keller, answering one of the questions, admitted that Overwatch 2 will soon replace the current version.
"When Overwatch 2 launches on October 4, it will replace the current Live services."
So when the successor debuts on the market, the first part is expected to cease to be playable. Although Blizzard assured that players of the original will keep their current progress and all purchased skins in the game (but not e.g. lootboxes; these will not be present in the second game at all), the community does not seem to be satisfied with the death of the original.
...not necessarily better
Player dissatisfaction can be seen with the naked eye - just look at the comments from the same Reddit AMA thread with Aaron Keller:
"This is so disappointing for Overwatch fans. The fact that you won't be able to play it anymore so you can get the battle pass money is very sad. I love Overwatch, I've played it more than any other game.
[...] I played the beta, and that's where things change. I prefer OW1. Why couldn't you just make another game? This is corporate greed," writes Reddit user RemiRemingtonIII.
User nFoggen additionally notes:
"Why do you think it's okay to take features from an existing game that people have already paid for, then declare it an "early access free-to-play game"?"
For now, the final reception of Overwatch 2 remains unknown. Will it turn out so good that fans will forgive the death of the prequel? We'll find out on October 4, when the game will debut in early access on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
