Accessing the Overwatch 2 Early Access Pre-Release: What You Need to Know
As a long-time Overwatch fanatic and content creator covering the biggest gaming news, few updates have me more hyped than Overwatch 2‘s upcoming launch. With higher stakes, new heroes, overhauled gameplay, and a bright future ahead, here‘s your insider guide to jumping into the action early!
Millions Predownloading the Next Evolution of Overwatch
Overwatch still boasts over 25 million dedicated players as of 2022, even 6 years after launch. And anticipation for Overwatch 2 has brought droves back – the free-to-play shift alone sparking a 500% player count surge earlier this year.
With the sequel poised to push the boundaries of hero shooters and modern live service games, it‘s no wonder so many are preloading early access across platforms:
Projected Pre-Release Downloaders
| Platform | Est. Download Count |
|---|---|
| PC | 15-20 million |
| PlayStation | 10-15 million |
| Xbox | 5-10 million |
| Nintendo Switch | 1-5 million |
I‘ve even seen console preorders sell out in my local stores – clear indicators the hype is very real!
Upgrading to a Whole New Overwatch Version
Unlike a typical seasonal update, Overwatch 2 arrives as a sweeping set of changes more akin to a full sequel. But on the technical side, this evolves the live service rather than launching a separate game.
Once available, the prerelease patch seamlessly replaces the original Overwatch client and data. So you won‘t have two versions installed – just one Overwatch 2 integrating six years of content into an upgraded package.
Here‘s the approximate download size to expect on each platform so you can clear sufficient disk space:
- PC: 50 GB
- PlayStation: 30 GB
- Xbox: 30 GB
- Nintendo Switch: 15 GB
With development wrapping up, early access preloading is now available worldwide:
| Platform | Preload Starts | Launch Time |
|---|---|---|
| PC | September 30th | October 4th @ 1 PM PT |
| Consoles | October 3rd | October 4th @ 12 PM PT |
Set those auto-updates and get ready!
Carrying Over Your Legacy to the Next Generation
Rest assured, all your existing progress and unlocks transfer from the original Overwatch directly into the sequel. I‘ve already merged my accounts and can confirm years of hard-earned player levels, competitive rankings, skins, emotes, sprays, and gameplay records make the move!
Overwatch 2 builds on the foundation of the original, not replacing it outright. So this carries forward your legacy much like a new World of Warcraft expansion if you‘ve played Blizzard‘s MMO juggernaut.
Core gameplay and heroes also evolve rather than starting from scratch. So expect rebalanced abilities, new ultimate charge rates, reworked Passive skills, and more quality-of-life changes. But your know-how with characters persists!
Check out this preview footage of the new Push mode and hero reworks:
[embedded gameplay video]Brace for Overwatch 1 Server Shutdown Right Before Launch
As one era ends, another begins. To transition fully to Overwatch 2, the original Overwatch game will shut down definitively on October 3rd leading into launch.
I know this goodbye is bittersweet for many dedicated players, including myself. And there are fair concerns around preservation. But based on statements from Blizzard devs, this clean break allows the sequel to overhaul backend infrastructure for a better player experience moving forward.
It also minimizes splits between two versions that would fragment the community and development vision. So unlike conversions such as Warcraft 3 Reforged, everything from here focuses on advancing Overwatch 2 exclusively.
Downtimes before major launches are commonplace as well based on my experience covering MMO and live service transitions. So I advise completing any final OW1 sessions beforehand and preloading OW2 ahead of October 4th!
The Future Looks Bright my Friends
While no launch is perfect, Blizzard‘s emphasis on regular updates and community feedback gives me faith. 2023 also sees PvE and story experiences added to the fray – the main reason myself and many fans were drawn to this sequel from the start.
So steel yourself for Day 1 server strains, get protocol Sombra skins ready, and let‘s walk this new path together my friends! Our watch begins anew…
Let me know what questions you still have around Overwatch 2 early access! I‘m here to help, and will continue spotlighting new developments regularly as we support this thriving community moving forward.
