It’s been running since last night’s second beta testing phase to Overwatch 2. Selected players will be able to try out the PVP portion of the shooter again until July 18, but there are some changes from the first beta. And Blizzard is also fueling renewed criticism — anything else would probably be hard to imagine in the meantime.
While the first PVP beta was only available for Battle.net on Windows from April 26 to May 17, 2022, Overwatch 2 can also be tried out on PlayStation and Xbox consoles this time around. Again, though, it’s a closed beta test, so only pre-registered players will be allowed to participate with a bit of luck. For now at least, because little by little Blizzard wants to invite more players; on July 15, all registered interested parties should be allowed access.
Those players can then only participate in the test phase for three days doesn’t make much sense – but this is explained if one takes into account that Blizzard is considered not just about testing but selling beta access: The publisher offers impatient gamers the Watchpoint Pack, which costs around 40 euros and gives immediate access to the second beta after purchase.
The bundle also includes the Legendary Edition of Overwatch 1 and comes with the launch of Overwatch 2, the Premium Battle Pass for Season 1, two Legendary skins for Cassidy and Reaper, 2,000 premium units of in-game currency, and an extended profile picture. The included currency can also be used to purchase the premium version of the Battle Pass in the next two seasons. Unsurprisingly, the relatively high price tag for a game that most interested parties already own and has recently become available for half the price has caused criticism in the Overwatch community.
However, the community isn’t just affected by these beta testing phase earnings: players who pay a total of $15 to select Twitch players during the second beta testing phase will receive a Legendary skin for the supporting heroine Brigitte. After the loot boxes were abolished, Blizzard proves to be extremely creative when it comes to new revenue streams – whether monetization will degenerate like in Diablo Immortal remains to be seen.
Content-wise, the second beta test phase includes the new tank heroine that can be played for the first time Junker Queen, which was only unveiled earlier this month as part of Summer Game Fest 2022. In addition, a new hybrid map featuring Rio de Janeiro and a new look for all heroes’ base skins is now available. However, friends of the classic designs can still use them, they remain as skins. Unlike the first beta testing phase, this time around, cosmetic content can generally be used; As announced, players will take over their inventory from the first part.
Overwatch 2 – the new tank heroine Junkerqueen (Photo: Blizzard) Meanwhile, only Quickplay can be played in 5v5 mode, both role selection and unlimited play are available. Blizzard notes, however, that the games are now run using ranked rules, meaning there will be rounds on hybrid and payload cards. The two-point maps known from Overwatch 1 will no longer exist in Overwatch 2. Also in the field of balancing, a lot has happened.
For example, with all Damage heroes’ passive ability, introduced with the first beta, to work slightly faster than heroes of the other two classes: the ability has been removed, instead Damage characters retain 30 percent of their final payload. switching heroes. In addition, the playing time in the new Push mode has been extended and Orisa and Symmetra are undergoing major changes. These, like all other adjustments, are Patch Notes referring to.
The changes are based on: Blizzard’s detailed analysis of the first phase of beta testing Technical innovations include the introduction of an optional dynamic render resolution with adjustable target FPS, a visual overhaul of the ping system, and the newly introduced statistics overview and new atmospheric surround sound on all maps. However, the system requirements are still low. System Requirements for the second Overwatch 2 PVP Beta
Overwatch 2 will be released as a free-to-play game on October 4, 2022. Overwatch 1 will be discontinued on that day and will no longer be available, which is currently being discussed again – but this was actually known for a long time. Until release, the third potential remix event in Overwatch 1 is pending, which will replace the otherwise held Summer Games. There will also most likely be a third beta testing phase, which is expected to start in late August or early September.
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