Blizzard has revealed a number of new details about the upcoming Overwatch 2.
A few Overwatch 2 The Blizzard developers put together a huge Reddit AMA and tackled a host of topics with fans on everything from high-level design goals to very specific features.
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One of the less surprising reveals that was made at the AMA was that Overwatch 2 will have a beta version. Most of Blizzard’s games, certainly those where multiplayer is the main focus, get pre-launch testing. This is a strategy that Blizzard has maintained for years, of course, and is unlikely to change with Overwatch 2.
“It almost certainly does,” said technical director John Lafleur, when asked if the next shooter will have a beta version. “If I knew when, I couldn’t tell you. If I told you, I would have to kill you. But [game director Aaron Keller] He’s our resident secretary, so could you give him a try! “
The big reveal from the AMA has to be the addition of a pinging system. Since the release of Apex Legends, virtually every major multiplayer game developer has introduced their own version of the groundbreaking system or have been asked to do so by players. Apex’s ping system made it possible for strangers to communicate effectively without the need for a microphone, and the Respawn implementation remains the most comprehensive, even after many takes.
It’s not unusual, then, to suggest that Blizzard may be looking for a similar system for Overwatch 2. When asked about the ping system, game director Aaron Keller confirmed that a prototype already exists in Overwatch 2.
“We have definitely considered this,” he said.
“We actually have a prototype running in-house right now. We are not in the habit of promising players things until they are actually announced and I am not going to break that tradition at this point (I am sure I will ruin it at some point in this AMA), but it is something that we are excited about as a team and we are currently working on problems. “
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Another popular question for multiplayer game developers is cross-play and cross-progression. Overwatch doesn’t currently support either of those features, but Blizzard hinted at AMA that it can probably only count on one of the two making it to Overwatch 2.
“We are very excited about the possibilities of cross play and cross progression, but today we have nothing to announce,” said technical director John Lafleur.
“However, given the additional complexities of cross-progression, it would probably make more sense to address cross-play first, and then explore progression as a possible add-on, if we go this route.”
Although it doesn’t have a release date yet, not even a goal, Blizzard is starting to open up about Overwatch 2. The developer, of course, recently showed off a few hours of PvP play, revealing a multitude of changes including the drop. the player counts up to 5 against 5 and limits the tanks to one per team.
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