Overwatch 2 is looking to fix one of the sequel’s most controversial changes following backlash from fans.
One of the biggest changes between Overwatch 2 and the original was the decision to replace 6v6 battles with 5v5 encounters.
Over Overwatch’s lifetime, developers implemented a number of changes to make the team-based online shooter more balanced, settling on teams needing to be made up equally of the three different hero types. However due to Tank being the least popular role, players’ would often be held in long queues while the matchmaking system tried to find enough players to fill a team.
This was changed for Overwatch 2, which switched from 6v6 to 5v5 battles. Teams were made up of two Damage and Support players, alongside one Tank, which matched the ratio of players actually taking on those roles.
According to game director Aaron Keller, the change from 6v6 to 5v5 was done to make the game more “cognitively manageable” due to less visual effects being on screen at any one time. It was also done to reduce queue times and make battles easier to follow. “The world of 6v6 could have really high, highs, but reaaaally low, lows,” he wrote in a dedicated blog. “One of the design goals of 5v5 was to try to raise that floor, even though it was at the expense of some of those high moments.”
However, fans have been wanting a return of 6v6 since Overwatch 2 launched in 2022.
“We are focused on making 5v5 the best experience that it can be. However, because we operate as a service to our players, we always remain open-minded to re-evaluating our decisions based on your actions and feedback, to give you the best game experience we can,” wrote Keller. Because of this, the Overwatch 2 team is looking at running a series of limited-time test events that will explore “different forms of 6v6”.
“The outcome of these tests would give us a lot of valuable information to consider moving forward,” wrote Keller. “We’d run the test for a few weeks and gauge interest from the community. Then we’d measure the impact it had on the other experiences in Overwatch 2.”
He continued: “We want to be super thoughtful about how we implement new ideas into the live game because there are millions of players who jump into Overwatch each season, and we want anything we put in-game to benefit the community as a whole.”
Currently Blizzard is looking at “permanently increasing performance” to support 6v6. “This would be a large effort that would most likely take at least several seasons to accomplish,” he added. “Another issue, and one that still gives me anxiety about opening this Pandora’s Box, is what to do with queue times if enough players prefer 6v6 to keep some form of it around.”
“Ultimately, the Overwatch team wants to continue building the game that you want to play season after season.This blog is just the start of this conversation,” he promised.
In other news, GSC Game World has announced it is pushing back the release of Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl. The game had been due for release in September, but will now be coming several weeks later.
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