Marvel Rivals' Latest Mode May Be Better Suited to Its…

With Marvel Rivals recently announcing a limited-time auto-battler mode, some fans are hoping Overwatch 2 will follow suit. In Dev Vision Volume 6, NetEase Games provided a first look at the experimental game mode, Ultron's Battle Matrix Protocol, which is set to launch on June 6. Though not much was shown in terms of specific abilities, like many other auto-battlers, there will be a high emphasis on hero line-ups, builds, positioning, and strategy - a combination that sounds perfect for Overwatch 2.

Some are calling Marvel Rivals' Auto-Chess-like mode a natural evolution of the third-person super-powered shooter. Although it's only designated as an experimental mode, it could be a worthwhile addition to the genre, especially since it allows players to engage with Marvel characters in a distinct way from the fast-paced 6v6 battles of the core game. Interestingly, Blizzard's hero-shooter could also benefit from releasing an auto-battler, with it potentially being a better fit than Marvel Rivals thanks to the developer's experience with Hearthstone Battlegrounds and experimentation in Overwatch 2's existing game modes.

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By Ewan Lewis

Overwatch 2 Could Learn a Lot From Marvel Rivals' Auto-Chess Mode

An Overwatch Auto-Battler Could Already Be In Development

If Marvel Rivals' Auto-Chess mode is well-received, it could signal a promising opportunity for Blizzard to explore a similar direction with Overwatch 2's roster. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time that these popular hero shooters have learned from and adapted from one another. Overwatch clearly inspired Marvel Rivals’ core gameplay, while Overwatch 2’s hero ban system was ultimately given the green light in Season 16 after seeing its success in NetEase Games’ title.

Furthermore, given the futuristic setting and beloved characters, fans have been eager to see the franchise expand into various mediums, including new game modes, films, and television shows. Rumors of an Overwatch mobile game have been circulating for the past few years. It's possible that Blizzard partnered with Nexon to develop a port of Overwatch 2 for mobile devices, similar to Riot Games' plans for Valorant Mobile. It would make sense if this were simply "a mobile version of the franchise," as stated by Jason Schreier in his book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, but it could also be a completely new experience.

Overwatch 2 Has a Strong Foundation to Expand Into Auto-Chess

There has been some controversy over whether an Overwatch mobile port would thrive, with players questioning its necessity and potential performance issues, especially considering the mixed reception to Overwatch's Nintendo Switch port in 2019. However, if it follows the path of successful auto-chess games like Blizzard’s 2019 title, Hearthstone Battlegrounds, it could mark Overwatch’s first exciting step into new genres. This would be a long-awaited venture, especially since powerhouse franchises like Dota, League of Legends, and now Marvel Rivals have already launched auto-battlers, such as Dota Underlords and Teamfight Tactics.

Blizzard may worry that releasing another auto-battler could undercut its own titles. Still, a strong counterargument is that expanding its portfolio would only strengthen the company's overall presence in the gaming industry. Furthermore, to add complexity and differentiate it from Hearthstone Battlegrounds, Team 4 could consider using a two-dimensional board instead of a linear format, beyond just leveraging the Overwatch IP.

Fortunately, Overwatch 2’s ongoing experimentation with game modes, including Stadium, PvE campaigns, Perks, and even the 2023 text-based dating simulator, Loverwatch, provides a strong foundation for auto-battler builds and shows a clear willingness to explore diverse concepts. An Auto Chess-like mode could draw inspiration from the existing Items and Powers in Stadium, alongside Overwatch 2's Perks system, which were added in Season 15. Abilities like Mercy’s damage boost, Widowmaker’s long-range shots, and Junkrat’s traps offer just a glimpse of how an Overwatch auto-battler could take shape.

Reddit user PhragX created a custom auto-battler game mode in Overwatch, inspired by Dota Underlords, where players can choose five heroes and drag-and-drop them into battle. The mode can be accessed using the import code 02ME9.

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