Overwatch 2 developers say “a world where both 5v5 and 6v6 exist permanently” is on the table as they experiment with a return to 12-player modes

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Of all the changes from Overwatch to Overwatch Overwatch 2The biggest and most controversial one was the switch from 6v6 to 5v5 matches. Earlier this year, Blizzard stated that a return to 6v6 wasn’t completely off the table, and the developers are now drawing up some concrete plans to determine what that return will look like.

Two different 6v6 test modes will be launched in Season 14. One week before the start of the season, Blizzard is introducing a system it calls “Min 1, Max 3” in which each team must have at least one and at most three of a certain role type. The idea is to try a format that finds a “middle ground” between role queue and open queue. A more traditional 2-2-2 test will take place “in the middle of Season 14”.

As the developers explained, there will be some unique balance changes in these tests. announcement blog. “The power and survivability of tanks will decrease in these 6v6 formats, and we’ll see if we need many of the passives we added to Overwatch 2.”

Ahead of these tests, Season 13 will see some experimentation with the existing 5v5 format. “We are planning to have a Quick Game: Hacked coming soon which we call ‘Frontier 2’. It will be 5v5 and the maximum number of each role will be limited to two. This includes Tanks, but there are also those. will They should be adjusted to Open Row balance, which means they will have less health. You can freely switch heroes and roles as long as there are no two players already in the new role.” The mid-cycle experiment will introduce another variation of Limit 2 called Kingmaker, which will see the player receive a bonus in the solo role.

“In a world where so many players have joined this mode and are playing it constantly, we have received the signal that we need to do more with this mode,” the blog says. “I think it depends on the level of excitement as to what that ‘more’ is. Is there a world in Overwatch 2 where both 5v5 and 6v6 exist permanently? If you had asked me a few months ago, I would have said no. Don’t make the game our players want to play.” “As we discuss the future of Overwatch 2 in light of this, we know our players may want multiple experiences, and that’s something we’ll need to take into account moving forward.”

so far reply There is cautious optimism about the potential of these experiments. Two years after Overwatch 2’s early access launch and one year after its full launch, the move to 5v5 remains controversial even now, especially considering how powerful tanks are supposed to become in the current meta. Will any of these mods fix the problem? Time will tell, but at least the experiments open the door to the best of both worlds.

Overwatch 2’s awesome new roguelike-inspired mode lets you tweak abilities, create builds, and cry about the potential of the interrupted campaign.