When is the release date of Overwatch 2?

Since its release in 2016, Overwatch has remained the premiere multiplayer hero shooter. Fans love the colorful world and the diverse cast of characters, all with their own abilities and intriguing backstories that help them stand out from the crowd. No matter who you are, there is an Overwatch hero you can identify with. Announced at BlizzCon 2019, Overwatch 2 will expand on the game’s rich backstory and incorporate a campaign and new looks for all returning characters. Here is what we know at the moment about when you can expect Overwatch 2 to release.

Related: Overwatch 2 has everything you love about the first game, but adjusted to a new format – Beta hands-on Impressions

Overwatch 2 release date

Overwatch 2 will release into early access on October 4. Early access here means that players will have access to the PvP side of the game alongside three new heroes, new maps, the battle pass system, and other changes present in the team versus team side.

As for the PvE side that will house the story campaign and Hero Missions, that content is planned to release sometime in 2023 barring any further delays to it. No specific planned release window within the year was announced.

Because Overwatch 2’s PvP is essentially just an upgraded version of the first game with new content, we think the move to stagger the release of both sides of the game is a smart move. Blizzard has asked Overwatch fans to wait a very long time already for the game to come out, so getting the multiplayer side out there when it is ready is a much better situation than releasing it all at once.