In an unforeseen turn of events, Overwatch 2 is set to make its grand debut on Steam on August 10th. That’s right, Overwatch 2 on Steam! In a move that’s likely to raise some eyebrows, Blizzard Entertainment, traditionally known for hosting its esteemed catalogue on the venerable Battle.net since the time flannel shirts and boy bands were in vogue, is stepping into new territory.
Blizzard Games on Steam: A Historic First with Overwatch 2
The 10th of August promises to be an epoch-making day for Overwatch 2. It’s like your birthday, Christmas and New Year’s Eve rolled into one, bursting with excitement! On this red-letter day, Blizzard is pulling out all the stops, launching Overwatch 2 Season 6 replete with the adrenaline-pumping Invasion update.
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Gear up for a fresh Support hero, the enthralling Flashpoint game mode, and co-op PvE story missions to carry forward the tale woven in the game’s lore. This bold leap to bring Overwatch 2 to the shores of Steam is bound to etch August 10th into the annals of Overwatch’s history, second only to the day the original avatar of the hero-shooter made its smashing debut in 2016.
Blizzard’s President, the savvy Mike Ybarra, spilled the beans on why Overwatch 2 is heading to Steam. In an effort to listen to their gaming aficionados and exceed their hopes, Blizzard decided to embrace a new platform.
The hallowed halls of Battle.net will remain their stronghold, but they’ve sensed the gaming community’s desire to have the choice of Steam for a selection of their games. And what better place to start than with Overwatch 2 on this monumental date? Valve’s Gabe Newell, too, weighed in on this momentous occasion. Exalting how both gamers and developers stand to gain from this partnership. As for the intriguing question of Steam Deck compatibility for Overwatch 2, well, that’s still up in the air, shrouded in mystery.
The official explanation does have us intrigued. Yet, one can’t help but suspect a deeper motive fuelling Blizzard’s manoeuvre to bring Overwatch 2 to Steam. With the recent revelation in the Activision Blizzard earnings report about the dwindling player engagement for Overwatch 2, the decision makes strategic sense. By porting the game to Steam, they are potentially throwing open the doors to legions of Steam gamers, breathing fresh life into Overwatch 2 and setting the stage for a grand resurgence with the eagerly-awaited update on August 10th.
Overwatch 2 on Steam Release Date
- Overwatch 2 arrives on Steam on Thursday, August 10th 2023
Steam lovers keen to dive into Overwatch 2, do note that you’ll be able to add to your trophy cabinet with Steam achievements and navigate with your Steam friends list. Albeit, the game won’t necessitate playing via Battle.net, Overwatch 2 on Steam does demand a Battle.net account – an obligatory norm across all platforms where the title is available, although this might give some Steam enthusiasts pause.
As the dust settles on this news, it remains to be seen how Steam users warm up to Overwatch 2, and how the larger PC gaming community perceives Blizzard’s bold move of launching a game on Steam. If this gamble pays off, could we see more Blizzard games taking the Steam route? Only time will tell, as Blizzard, for now, remains coy about other potential jumpers from its stable.
More: Overwatch 2 Patch: Blizzard Adjusts Zenyatta’s Potent Orb of Discord
Currently available in early access, Overwatch 2 is spreading its wings across various platforms – PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Watch this space for more updates!
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Stephen is the proud owner of a popular gaming news website GLN, where he provides the latest updates on everything gaming-related. With a passion for video games that dates back to his childhood, Stephen is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with fellow gamers around the world.
