Overwatch 2 Bringing Back 6v6 Feels Conveniently Timed

After thirteen seasons, Overwatch 2 has announced the return of 6v6 in the form of Season 14 playtests. While Season 13 focuses on refining 5v5 through ongoing experiments, the reintroduction of 6v6 aims to tackle a long-standing community debate. Notably, Team 4 previously stated that it didn't initially envision a world with 5v5 and 6v6 coexisting. However, it's now suggesting that, depending on community feedback, 6v6 could become a permanent addition to Overwatch 2.

Though the idea of 6v6 coming back has various pros and cons, the timing appears far from coincidental. With 2024 shaping up as a momentous year for hero-shooters, several titles have been making waves in the genre, even if not all have found success. Some of the most notable include Deadlock and Marvel Rivals, the latter of which is launching just eleven days before Overwatch 2's 6v6 tests.

Overwatch 2 Could Be Working on New 'Major Feature'

Though the details are shrouded in mystery, Blizzard is apparently working on something big for Overwatch 2, with a 'major feature' in development.

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By Eric Law

Overwatch 2 Plans Its 6v6 Playtests for December

Marvel Rivals Officially Launches on December 6

The hero-shooter genre is seeing a surge of new entries recently, with more on the way. While Strinova is being called a mixture of Overwatch 2 and Valorant, Marvel Rivals stands out for its iconic comic book characters and nostalgic 6v6 gameplay reminiscent of classic Overwatch. Of course, while similarities between Marvel Rivals and Overwatch 2 are many, the third-person perspective and various team-up combinations all serve to carefully craft a unique super-powered experience.

Given that Blizzard is planning 6v6 tests for December and January, the timing seems calculated, especially since it's been over two years since the game's launch. Ever since Overwatch 2's early intentions were shared, players have been voicing concerns about Overwatch's switch to 5v5, citing issues like the increased pressure on a single tank, especially off-tanks. Though the transformation to 5v5 was an adjustment period that invited new playstyles and strategies, throughout the early seasons of Overwatch 2, balancing issues have persisted. Over time, this has incentivized tank players to play hard meta, which in past rotations have included controversial heroes like Mauga, Orisa, and D.Va.

Team 4 only officially addressed the debate between 5v5 and 6v6 in July 2024, after Marvel Rivals held its first Closed Alpha in May. While this may be coincidental, it's also likely that Team 4 wants to provide its player base with something to anticipate within Blizzard's IP, especially following the success of both Marvel Rivals playtests.

Overwatch 2 Devs Have Already Commented On Marvel Rivals

Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals Side By Side TheBestWarGames Visual

Intriguingly, in the Group Up! Podcast in August, Overwatch 2 Game Director Aaron Keller and Lead Hero Designer Alec Dawson commented on the existence of Marvel Rivals, stating that it would be fascinating to observe how these other games evolve over time. The consensus between the two was that "Competition is good. It’s healthy, and it starts to crystalize what makes [their] game special, too." As such, it's clear that Blizzard is aware of "Overwatch clones" and Overwatch-inspired projects, which could mean that the timetable for 6v6 playtesting in the sequel was purposeful.

Although the question was aimed at Marvel Rivals, the developers of Overwatch 2 did not reference NetEase Games' upcoming shooter by name.

Nevertheless, the gaming landscape offers plenty of room for multiple hero-shooter titles to coexist harmoniously. Overwatch 2’s engine and mechanics are distinctive hallmarks of the game, while Marvel Rivals is likely to attract comic book fans and third-person enthusiasts. As both new and established titles shape the genre, it should be interesting to witness how each title assists in helping the other evolve.

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Overwatch 2

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6 /10

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Released: August 10, 2023

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Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.