Even though Overwatch 2 canceled its story mode, Blizzard teases "to lean further into storytelling and character development" for the FPS' 10th anniversary
24.0k
Kaan Serin
2025-12-19
Overwatch celebrates its milestone 10th birthday next year, and Blizzard developers are making big promises about what's ahead.
When asked about what the team was most excited for in 2026, in a chat with Xbox Wire, Overwatch 2 devs said they're looking forward to deepening "the universe and lore surrounding our Heroes, moving beyond their functional roles in a game." Overwatch's ongoing story has only tiptoed forward - very slowly, I might add - since its debut, but the team is apparently "eager to take creative steps that will allow the game to lean further into storytelling and character development."
The emphasis on "storytelling" is so notable because, as you probably remember, Overwatch 2's co-op campaign was previously scrapped, despite being announced alongside the mode that arguably justified the sequel's existence in the first place.
World of Warcraft lead thinks the MMO will still be "kicking" in 10 years, but despite having ideas for "the very long run," Blizzard is currently focusing "on the next 5 years"
Obsidian hopes to stand alongside CD Projekt and Larian by making "best-in-class" reactive RPGs, says The Outer Worlds 2 director: "I don't know if we're there yet, but I'd love to get there"
Diablo co-creator and Blizzard co-founder says it's a "brutal" time for AAA games, and it's "really stressful to do anything" with Diablo 4 out of fear of players with big expectations
Director Aaron Keller did admit that the studio "dropped the ball when it comes to story" last summer, and agreed that those sick animated shorts probably need to come back before Blizzard can say it's "firing on all cylinders." Maybe there's simply new animated content coming in 2026, but I have my fingers crossed for something a bit more involved dropping in the game proper.
"There's a real sense of momentum and optimism within the development team, and we believe 2026 will be a year where our boldest ideas come to life," the Xbox Wire statement continued, while pointing to this year's sweeping changes that included Perks and Stadium. "Inspired by the evolving landscape of the industry, we embraced the opportunity to take bold risks and focused on making impactful changes rather than playing it safe."
Keller also previously stated the team's annual strategy is to "start every year with a huge, game-defining moment and then follow it up with a big mid-year beat," so we probably won't need to wait much longer to see what dramatic changes are hitting Overwatch 2, if any.
In the meantime, check out the best FPS games you should play right now.
eggLord
Jan 24, 12:51 PM
Futuristic design. perhaps
snaccFactory
Dec 21, 12:41 AM
Honestly... Good for adults Not great.
voidVampire
Dec 19, 04:41 PM
precisely congrats$ i demolished it. I'd give it a 3/10.
retroFrog
Dec 19, 02:31 PM
lmao
404Soul
Dec 19, 12:41 PM
this is boring. The controls feel great.
Recent Articles