An Overwatch 2 beta is heading to PC in April, and an alpha test kicks off for the shooter this week, Blizzard announced. Additionally, the company is separating its PvE and PvP modes in order to get a section of the game into the hand of the players sooner rather than later.
Game director Aaron Keller shared the information as part of new developer update video. The big takeaways were the “decoupling” of the PvP and PvE elements of Overwatch 2, meant to “get new PvP content into your hands sooner, while we continue to work on PvE,” according to a blog post.
The closed alpha test for Overwatch 2’s PvP began yesterday, but it’s not something the average gamer can participate in. It will contain Blizzard employees, Overwatch League players (OWL was already set to use Overwatch 2 for its upcoming season), and “a few other select groups” ahead of a beta that will start in “late April” for PC players in all regions.
The April Overwatch 2 test will be a closed beta, but you can sign up to try and gain access on the game’s official website. Access will come in waves, so if you don’t get in the first time–more invites will be sent out later.
More details on what’s in the beta are still to be confirmed, but Blizzard did say it will have the new Push game mode, four new maps, a new Damage hero (Sojourn), and reworks for various heroes. Of course, Overwatch 2 will also introduced new 5v5 gameplay. When the title finally does arrive, the PvP mode will integrate with Overwatch 1, allowing those players to use new heroes and play an new maps.
Overwatch 2 does not have a release date.
