For weeks, there were rumors suggesting that anOverwatch 2beta was imminent, with many wondering if it would actually happen. WhileBlizzard responded to the rumorsby saying that it had nothing to announce at the time, days laterOverwatch 2’s beta was announced. Come late April, fans will finally be able to get their hands on the sequel, and many are excited to see what the heavily anticipated hero shooter will have to offer.
The privateOverwatch 2beta test will include 5v5 gameplay, several reworked heroes, and four brand-new maps. The ping system and Push game mode will also be included, and while all of this is exciting, only a portion of the fan base will be getting a chance to experience the game. Not only does the first beta require a sign-up process, it is only available to those on PC – a questionable move for a few important reasons.
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Why Overwatch 2’s First Beta Being PC Exclusive Is a Misstep
Obviously, the biggest downside toOverwatch 2’s betabeing PC exclusive is that many will not get a chance to participate in it. While it is true that a majority of theOverwatchaudience plays on PC, making that the most important version of the game, plenty of gamers play on console as well. Console players have been waiting just as long forOverwatch 2, and they would surely love to experience the new game themselves instead of watching others have fun.
WhileBlizzardwanting to limit the number of participants in the first beta makes sense, as it can ensure the game is stable before opening it up to more players, the need to register already limits the audience. Not putting the game on console seems like overkill, delivering the message that only the PC community ofOverwatchtruly matters.
Another significant downside to this decision is that the PC and console versions ofOverwatchplay very differently, and as such need to be balanced differently. A hero like Torbjorn is a lot more effective on consoles than he is on PC, as console players lack the precise, speedy aiming available on PC. With this in mind, anOverwatch 2hero reworkmay work incredibly well on one system and not on the other, meaning a cross-platform beta could be beneficial for data collection and balancing.
Putting the beta on consoles would also give players an indication of where exactlyOverwatch 2is releasing. While it is unlikely that Microsoft’s Bethesda acquisition will impact this particular game, asOverwatch 2was already announced to be in development for Switchand PS4 as well as Xbox and PC, fans on Switch and PlayStation would still see a beta as reassuring. Further, betas dropping on PS5 and Xbox Series X could confirm that next-gen versions will be ready on day one. As of now, fans only know that last-gen versions ofOverwatch 2are in the works.
While Blizzard may have its reasons for makingOverwatch 2’s first testing period PC exclusive, it is hard for console players not to see the exclusion as a slap in the face. Over the years, many have felt that the console versions ofOverwatchplay second fiddle to the PC version, and moves like this do a lot to prove that theory true. WithOverwatchfansexisting on all major platforms, the next beta needs to be opened up to consoles, allowing more players to provide feedback on the sequel.
Overwatch 2is currently in development for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
