While Overwatch 2’s PvP content has received most of the attention so far, the PvE maps that once served as its raison d’être will be an important factor as well. During today’s Overwatch 2 reveal stream, Blizzard went into a bit more detail on how exactly it will work, explaining that player-versus-environment [PvE] maps will be released as part of the newly-minted free-to-play shooter’s seasonal content, beginning in 2023.
Described as “content to immerse yourself in,” Blizzard hints that PvE in Overwatch 2 will function as a contained series of missions designed to drive the game’s overall story forward. Among other things, Overwatch 2’s PvE content will show the Overwatch team reuniting while visiting familiar locations like Torbjörn’s factory. Null Sector, one of the Overwatch team’s biggest foes, is also confirmed to be returning.
“We’re all so invested in the world of Overwatch and the heroes that live in it, and through the years we’ve developed cinematics, animated shorts, and graphic novels for our players who just want to get deeper into the lore,” director Aaron Keller says.
“With PvE we have an opportunity to go a step further, to go deeper into diverse storytelling that we just haven’t been able to before. So we are planning to expand the Overwatch universe through these seasons we just described, and we will start delivering this PvE gameplay in 2023.”
Overwatch 2 was famously intended to be a PvE-focused release, but its redesigned competitive multiplayer has since taken precedence. The two were ultimately split so that Blizzard could release Overwatch 2 into early access on October 4.
In the meantime, Blizzard is planning what is described as “large seasonal drops,” promising that players will never be wanting for something to do in Overwatch 2. The PvE content will be part of that drive to continuously deliver varied content. It’s not clear if PvE will be paid or free content at this point.
We’ll know more when Overwatch 2’s PvE content arrives in 2023. In the meantime, the next beta kicks off on June 28.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
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