Overwatch 2 preload time and Overwatch server downtime
When does Overwatch 1 end and when is the Overwatch 2 preload time? These are likely to be the questions on the lips of fans of the Blizzard FPS game. Widely hailed as one of the best multiplayer games on PC during its first years, the first Overwatch has slowly seen a drop-off, stagnating with a lack of new hero and map releases as the development team poured their focus into the sequel. Now, the Overwatch 2 release date is almost upon us – but before we get there, the first game will be shutting down early in preparation.
That’s right, once Overwatch 2 arrives you will no longer be able to play the original game. Fortunately, you won’t have to re-buy anything due to the Overwatch 2 free-to-play model which the developers say has made them a lot happier. However, you will have to unlock new heroes via the free track of the Overwatch 2 battle pass or by purchasing the premium track to get immediate access – and players who are jumping into Overwatch for the first time with this new game will be required to play approximately 100 matches to unlock the entire base game’s cast.
These changes have proven divisive among the game’s community, with some prominent members such as Overwatch pro player, coach, and commentator Jake ‘Jake’ Lyon saying that the free-to-play model is a necessity for the game to survive in a modern market and that “for the game to succeed long term the monetisation model must incentivise the speed of the new content and patch cycle.” Others have expressed concerns about the seeming intent to force long-time players into spending more money to ‘stay competitive’ by unlocking the latest heroes.
The original Overwatch end-of-service date is October 3. The servers are expected to go offline at
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