Blizzard has revealed that the closed beta test (CBT) of Overwatch 2, the long-awaited sequel to its team-based hero shooter, is set to release in late April in all regions for the PC platform.
Prior to the CBT, the closed alpha testing for Overwatch 2 started in select regions, including "Blizzard employees, Overwatch League pros, and a few other select groups."
Blizzard noted that both closed alpha and beta tests will not feature any PvE elements and instead focus on PvP. The game developer said it's changing its release strategy for Overwatch 2, "decoupling" the shooter game's PvP and PvE elements in an attempt to get the sequel's competitive multiplayer content into players' hands sooner while it continues to develop single-player and cooperative content.
The Overwatch 2 CBT will include a larger group of testers whom the devs will ask to provide gameplay feedback.
According to Blizzard, the first PvP Beta will include the most significant release they've had since their launch. The major items players can expect to see from the first beta are as follows:
- New Damage Hero: Sojourn
- New Game Mode: Push
- 5v5 Multiplayer
- Hero Reworks: Orisa, Doomfist, Bastion, Sombra
- 4 New Maps: Circuit Royal - New Escort Map, Midtown - New Hybrid Map, New Queen Street - New Push Map, Colosseo - New Push Map
- New Ping System
Interested players can sign up to participate in the Overwatch 2 PvP Beta 1 through PlayOverwatch.com.
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Aaron Keller, Overwatch 2 game director, acknowledged the lack of communication, stating that the announcement of the closed alpha and beta testing will result in "more continual updates on all things Overwatch 2."
