Overwatch 2, the promised “rebirth” of the popular team-based shooter, has fallen short of expectations since it came out. But, ahead of the launch of its ninth season, its ever-critical community is buzzing with equal parts anticipation, doubt, and criticism.
This is all thanks, in most part, to the promises made by content creators and the development team.
Aaron Keller, the game’s director, has now issued an apology for its handling of the announcement of a major change, clarifying that the introduction of self-healing for tank and DPS heroes is just one part of a broader set of adjustments planned for Overwatch 2.
The move to add self-healing capabilities for non-support heroes marks a significant change in Overwatch 2’s gameplay dynamics. The community sees this shift as a reduction in the dependency and, therefore, the utility, of support players, potentially altering the game’s core emphasis on teamwork. The decision has ignited various reactions, with some of its players expressing concerns about the dilution of team-based strategies and the potential homogenization of hero roles.
Clarifying a few things with the self-heal. It's one part of a much larger set of changes coming to the game in S9. Internally we're talking about, and targeting some of these changes at damage spikiness in game, the role of DPS in securing kills, and the strength of healing. https://t.co/Ay68KOZAFD
— Aaron Keller (@aaronkellerOW) January 13, 2024
Keller’s apology specifically targets discussing the self-healing change without providing the full context of the broader changes coming in Season 9. He indicated that these changes are aimed at addressing issues like damage spikiness, the role of DPS in securing kills, and the overall strength of healing in the game. This suggests a reevaluation of the balance between individual and team play within Overwatch 2’s mechanics.
Despite Keller’s clarification, there is still a mixed response from the player base, with some holding out hope for a more revitalized game experience, while others remain skeptical. This healthy skepticism is partly fueled by the game’s recent character introductions and changes, such as the tank hero Mauga, whose initial overpowering presence was later adjusted after community feedback.
The broader implications of these changes remain a topic of debate. Some players worry that Overwatch 2 might lose a chunk of its uniqueness as a team-based shooter, while others believe the changes could lead to a more balanced and enjoyable experience, especially for players who often play solo. The concerns also touch on the possible impact on the game’s existing hero types, with questions about how support characters like Mercy or Lifeweaver will fit into the new gameplay structure.
Blizzard has not yet released full details of what Season 9 will entail, but the emphasis seems to be on finding a balance between the power of individual heroes and the collective strength of a team. As Overwatch 2 evolves into a live-service game, each season brings opportunities for significant gameplay adjustments, with Season 9 poised to be a particularly pivotal moment in the game’s ongoing development.
Furthermore, Keller’s “support” of a creator’s hype-inducing comment about the changes that are part of Season 9 of Overwatch 2 suggest that the truth could be somewhere between massive and underwhelming.
Fingers crossed, Overwatch 2’s ninth season will bring the beloved title back to its golden days while positioning it to be able to better cater to evolving player expectations and preferences.
