Blizzard’s FPS continues its very good momentum with a third season that promises to be rich in events and changes.
Decidedly, the players ofOverwatch 2 are not ready to be bored! With the second season coming to an end today, this is the perfect opportunity to take stock of the new features that await the community this evening. Since its transition to free-to-play, Blizzard’s team shooter has returned to the front of the stage. We already knew that the game was able to convince veterans and newcomers alike by reaching surprising peaks in attendance. Inevitably, this presence on the game has also translated into record revenues.
Our colleagues at GamesIndustry.biz have shared Activision Blizzard’s financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022, and as much to say that the impact ofOverwatch was felt. With the cap of 45 million players reached on December 31, the studio’s revenues on this title alone increased by 89.5% compared to the same period in 2021. As game director Aaron Keller explained to us, this change carefully thought out direction stands out as the best solution to revive the FPS after several years almost abandoned.
Now, the seasonal system has settled comfortably into the game and the community is starting to come to terms with it. So the development teams are starting to implement more and more surprises and don’t forget to listen to the players. Here is what will change from this Tuesday, February 7, 7 p.m. (French time).
New content and an unexpected collaboration.
For this season 3, no new hero, but a new map ! Officers ofOverwatch will be able to compete in the great cold of the Antarctic Peninsula. This control type map will join Nepal, Lijiang and Ilios among many others. Speaking of maps, also know that the rotation introduced since the launch of Overwatch 2 will be canceled from season 4. This is the last time that we find ourselves deprived of certain cult areas like Numbani.
On the side of the battle pass, it will be possible to unlock many skins with a Japanese theme going hand in hand with the new mythical skin: Kiriko Amaterasu. There will also be legendary skins of Moira, Junkrat and Reaper. Five new skins will also make their way to the in-game store and will be for Zenyatta, Genji, D.Va, Ashe, and Mei. Three new events will unlock cosmetics for free, namely the Ultimate Valentine’s Day from February 14 to 28 as well as the PachiMarsi from March 21 to April 4.
One last big surprise awaits manga fans and more particularly One-Punch Man who can benefit from an exclusive collaboration on Doomfist. The death-punch character will take on the appearance of his printed and animated alter ego in a crossover event from March 7 through April 6. Blizzard listens to players and intends to offer different ways to obtain content for free. The credits Overwatch will also return to access all cosmetics from the first version of the gamewhile skins sold in-game will now cost less.
A vast balancing wave
Obviously, who says new season says new adjustments. This time many characters will suffer the wrath of the developers, starting with Angel (or Mercy depending on the language of your game). The supporting character will lose momentum and movement. The Guardian Angel ability to dash towards an ally will now have a cooldown of 2.5 seconds compared to 1.5 seconds previously. The character’s passive is now made unique: rather than healing itself over time like the rest of the heroes in the support role, it will now heal itself by 25% of the HP restored to allies. Finally, the heal given is reduced from 55 to 45 HP per second, but allies who have lost half their health will be healed 50% faster.
This consequent change is the biggest nerf imposed this season. Otherwise, mine Jackal (Junkrat) goes from 120 to 100 damage, Fatal (Widowmaker) drops from 200 to 175 health while Reinhardt’s ultimate will do less damage but keep enemies down a bit longer. As for buffs, Soldier: 76 will have less recoil on his shot, Zenyatta will carry more ammunition and Brigitte will provide instant healing with their armor packs. Suffice to say that the balance of the game will be turned upside down for this start of the season.
