Overwatch 2 PvP Beta Announced, Scheduled For Late April

Rewinding back to Blizzcon 2019, Blizzard Entertainment officially revealed Overwatch 2 would be on the way. And while the original game received a fair helping of content and updates, the same was promised for the coming sequel. In that, it would include new additions like Heros, game modes, maps, and even a story campaign. However, communication has not been the greatest on the awaited title.

Namely the team at Blizzard Entertainment stayed radio silent on its work for Overwatch 2. It was discovered through financial statements that the game would be shifted ahead alongside Diablo IV which is also in development. The team previously did elaborate on the creative decision to cut matches into 5v5 for multiplayer for the follow-up game.

In a new development update video, Blizzard Entertainment reveals a PvP beta will be coming later in April for players to try out the new game in action. Developers and Overwatch League players will be able to sample a closed alpha starting this week. You can watch the video below:

“A few years ago we made the call to focus our team’s development focus almost entirely on Overwatch 2. And as development on the sequel stretched on, it meant that the live game received less focus. It meant we were no longer delivering on one of our core values: to support our game by updating it and delivering content on a regular basis,” game director Aaron Keller explained in the video.

“Today’s change and approach enables us to deliver frequent PvP content to the live game with a goal far exceeding Overwatch’s previous rate of content release and making the live game most vibrant and dynamic PvP experience anywhere.” Heading over to the website for the PvP beta reveals more information.

The closed playtest is to include new Hero Sojourn, the 5v5 PvP game set, and four new maps: Circuit Royal (Escort), Midtown (Hybrid), New Queen Street (Push), and Colosseo (Push). Evidently the new Push mode will be included alongside the mentioned Ping system and reworks for current Heroes Bastion, Doomfist, Orisa, and Sombra. You can opt-in for the PvP test by heading here.

Are you excited for the Overwatch 2 PvP test?

The Overwatch 2 closed PvP test is said to arrive in April for PC.