Overwatch leaves the “2” behind: Blizzard explains why the game is once again simply called Overwatch

October 2022 was a highly anticipated moment for Overwatch players. Blizzard had announced with great fanfare a major change to its hero shooter, one that could only be justified by a sequel. That morning, servers and players said goodbye to Overwatch to make way for Overwatch 2: a change in the game’s structure, moving from 6v6 to 5v5, graphical improvements, and little else. However, following the recent Overwatch Spotlight, it has been revealed that the game has been renamed simply Overwatch, a twist that is sure to leave many wondering why. During a visit to Blizzard Entertainment, MeriStation took part in a press conference with the leaders of Overwatch, where we asked about the reasons behind this decision and what it means for the future of the franchise.

The return to a forever game

The first to speak was Johanna Faries, president of Blizzard Entertainment. Faries explained how the conversations with the team took place, in which not only was a return to Season 1 proposed, but also the removal of the “2” from the name. The response, she said, was unanimous: “We think this is the right time for Overwatch as a universe to turn a corner in a big way.” “There’s a vision that Overwatch is a pillar for Blizzard that we believe is a timeless game. It’s not limited to chronology; it’s certainly not limited to number structures. I love that the teams all felt cross-functionally aligned to that decision, but it also kind of sets us up for a much broader conversation on where the future of this universe and these characters are going.”

For his part, Walter Kong, senior vice president of development and former manager of Overwatch, spoke from a historical perspective. He recalled the process from when the game was just a pitch, its launch, as well as its good and bad moments. For him, this change represents “a return to form” at a time when Overwatch is in a healthy state.

Finally, Aaron Keller, the game’s director, took the floor. Keller commented, “The heart of that question is, ‘Why now, after we’re doing all of these things with the game?’ Like Johanna said, Overwatch, we see it as a forever game. We don’t want players wondering when it’s going to get replaced. So dropping the 2 is our way of conveying to players that Overwatch isn’t something that you’re supposed to move on from. We want to gain players’ confidence. We want them to have trust in the game, in the team behind it, in the company that’s supporting it so that they can look forward to continue.”

To learn about all the changes presented during Overwatch Spotlight, you can read our full article here.

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