Overwatch, Blizzard Entertainment’s popular multiplayer co-op shooter, is set to have its servers taken down on Oct. 2, just before the release of Overwatch 2, the gaming company confirmed Thursday.
“Oct. 2 is the final full day of service for the original Overwatch,” a Blizzard spokesperson told CNET. “Exact timing on the Oct. 3 server transition will be revealed in the coming weeks.”
There will be a 27-hour gap between when Overwatch 1’s servers are taken down and the launch of Overwatch 2 on Oct. 4, Overwatch 2 commercial lead Jon Spector told Eurogamer. Current Overwatch players will be given the ability to download Overwatch 2 ahead of launch, Spector said.
“If they already have Overwatch 1, they’ll get Overwatch 2 as basically an update from a systems perspective,” Spector told Eurogamer. “You’ll see, ‘Update the game to Overwatch 2’ as an option on your PC or console. If you’re a new player, you’ll see on 4th October, the ability to come in and download and play Overwatch 2 for free.”
The news comes as Blizzard announced new details about the battle pass and monetization system for Overwatch 2, as well as the game’s first new support-class hero since 2019.
For more on Overwatch 2, check out how the new game compares to the original, CNET’s impression of the Overwatch 2 beta and five things CNET hopes to see in the new game.
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