Overwatch

'Overwatch' Servers Shut Down In Preparation for 'Overwatch 2' Launch: A day without either game.

[Earlier this year](https://hypebeast.com/2022/6/blizzard-overwatch-2-original-game-replacement-announcement), the company shared that [Overwatch 2 ](https://hypebeast.com/tags/overwatch-2)would completely replace the original. Today, October 3, marks the end of a six year run for [Overwatch](https://hypebeast.com/tags/overwatch). [Blizzard Entertainment’s](https://hypebeast.com/tags/blizzard-entertainment) Overwatch is finally receiving its sequel, the original game’s servers have been shut down.

Overwatch servers closed down on Monday, Oct. 3 as Blizzard prepares to launch Overwatch 2 on Tuesday, Oct. 4. The new game is long-awaited sequel to the ...

MANILA, Philippines – Goodbye, Overwatch. Hello, Overwatch 2! Blizzard Entertainment on Monday, October 3 permanently shut down the servers of Overwatch in ...

Blizzard said the change is designed to “protect the integrity of gameplay and promote positive behavior in Overwatch 2,” serving as a barrier of sorts to cheaters and online trolls, with the game now free for everyone. The outlet said that it could take players a significant amount of time to unlock the new heroes if they don’t choose to purchase the optional Battle Pass. The game ushers in a number of key changes, including gameplay tweaks to the heroes and the shift to five-versus-five matches instead of six-versus-six. Blizzard recently announced though that those coming into Overwatch for the first time have to unlock heroes from the original roster over the course of about a hundred games or so. See you October 4th,” wrote Blizzard to players via the in-game chat on the last day of Overwatch. You’ll no longer be able to access the original game again, and the only way to play matches is via the soon-to-be-released sequel.

Blizzard shut off the servers at noon Eastern time today so that it can prepare for Overwatch 2 going live tomorrow. I'm enthusiastic about the sequel, which ...

[a terrific evolution of the series](https://www.forbes.com/sites/krisholt/2022/09/29/overwatch-2-final-preview-kiriko-hands-on-battle-pass-and-other-impressions/). I’ve seen some of the heroes, maps and other updates coming in the next few seasons. It’s disappointing that [the monetization](https://www.forbes.com/sites/krisholt/2022/09/29/overwatch-league-skins-are-way-more-expensive-in-overwatch-2/) and a few other aspects let things down. That said, I’ll probably be booting up the sequel tomorrow with a tear in my eye. Right now, Overwatch 2 is a rock-solid foundation for a lot of exciting stuff to come. I wrote my first piece about the game in 2017 (a Doomfist guide, in case you’re wondering) and I haven’t looked back since. I’m bummed I won’t get to smash up the Hanamura arcade while waiting for the doors to open. The onus on teamwork and focusing on objectives drew me in too, not to mention the ethos of positivity and inclusivity. Overwatch is a warm blanket through which I only sometimes feel the unfortunate barbs of toxic players. I’ve gotten to know quite a few players over the last few years, including those who create content around the game and others who build I first tried it during a free weekend in November 2016, not long after I got a PS4 (I missed the Ana introduction, Sombra ARG and the chaotic early days of completely open hero selection). Still, I want to take a moment to reminisce about the original game.