The highly anticipated Overwatch sequel finally has a release date and it's much sooner than expected.

At the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase, Microsoft revealed that Overwatch 2 will roll out as a free-to-play title on October 4. Unfortunately, the October launch for the best-selling hero-based shooter by Blizzard is an "Early Access", meant to give audiences a taste of the full version's PvP component as well as its newest heroes: Sojourn and Junker Queen.

Overwatch 2 will change plenty from the original squad-based paid title. For starters, the sequel to Overwatch 2 will bring at least two new maps and a new game mode, as revealed earlier this year. Several hero reworks are also expected for Overwatch 2 as well as the new five-versus-five team composition that was confirmed last year.

Unfortunately, Blizzard did not divulge when Overwatch 2's PvE component will arrive. Most likely, it won't be available for at least a year, close to or after the full version of the sequel comes out.

In addition to the release date, we also got official proof that Junker Queen is the next hero headed to Overwatch 2 alongside Sojourn. From what we've seen of the new hero, she'll be a new bruiser that packs a wallop with her shotgun and a large, two-handed axe to boot. Of course, if you've kept up with your Overwatch lore, you'll know who Junker Queen is. Heroes like Junkrat and Roadhog have talked about her in their dialogue and she appeared in the Wrecking Ball origin story video.

Not to mention, it's hard to miss Junker Queen when she's the literal ruler of Junkertown, and, by extension, the Scrapyard.

Fans can expect to see more of the 34th hero on June 16 for a new Overwatch event.