Is Overwatch 1 Still Playable in 2024?
No. As of October 2nd, 2022, when Overwatch 2 launched, Blizzard Entertainment permanently discontinued all Overwatch 1 servers. This brought an end to the original Overwatch game after over six years of operation, leaving players no longer able to log in or play.
Fond Farewells to the OW1 Era
In the final 48 hours before the shutdown, many nostalgic players logged on to say goodbye to the game that had brought them countless hours of enjoyment since 2016. Reddit threads and gaming forums overflowed with tributes and celebrations of favorite OW1 memories.
But there was also a strong undercurrent of disappointment that a beloved game was being ripped away rather than preserved alongside its sequel. "I‘m pretty bummed out," wrote Reddit user owOverwatchFan. "OW1 should go down as one of the all-time great shooters."
Overwatch 1‘s Final Gameplay Hour
At exactly 5PM ET on October 2nd, OW1‘s servers closed for good. Players livestreaming the last hour showed tears and made final matches intensely meaningful. For example, popular Twitch streamer A_Seagull led an in-game conga line dance as a farewell ritual.
The game‘s short notice shutdown, revealed just a couple months prior, made this a distressing loss for fans who felt OW1 deserved a grander sendoff. But the focus now shifted fully towards the newly launched Overwatch 2.
Why Overwatch 1 Was Discontinued
According to Activision Blizzard, sunsetting OW1 was necessary to unite fans under one central Overwatch game rather than divide them between two separate installments. OW2 builds directly off the narrative, characters and modes of the original.
“When OW2 launches…it will be a replacement for the current Live Service,” said then-Game Director Aaron Keller. Allowing OW1 to continue would mean “fracturing the player base which is not something we wanted to do.”
The publisher also cites the transition to a free-to-play model requiring all players to be funneled into one shared environment.
Games-as-a-Service: The New Norm?
Overwatch 2 operates as a "games-as-a-service" title with seasonal content updates funded by in-game microtransactions and battle pass purchases rather than an upfront purchase price. This live service approach has become standard for franchises like Call of Duty and Destiny.
But should disabling older games be an inevitable part of this service model transition? Player opinion is mixed:
“I wish Activision would leave live service games running,” said Twitter user @jaqen_h. “Don‘t make me lose access to something I paid money for.”
Redditor u/OWtwentytwo countered that “Trying to maintain two Overwatch clients would be a logistical nightmare for the dev team.”
The debate rages on. But at over 25 million players and counting in its first month, OW2‘s astronomical popularity eases the loss.
What Happens to My Overwatch 1 Progression and Items?
All cosmetics, accomplishments and rankings you grinded to unlock carry forward seamlessly into OW2 after linking your Blizzard account during account merge. So breathe easy – your hard-earned OW1 loot remains intact:
- Skins
- Emotes
- Voice Lines
- Sprays
- Player Icons
Competitive rank gets a soft reset, but match history, level,unlocks and scores all make the transfer to OW2. You also receive an exclusive player icon and skins for being an OW1 veteran!
Overwatch 2 Launch Player Count
| Game | Peak Concurrent Players (Launch Month) |
|---|---|
| Overwatch 1 | 9.7 million |
| Overwatch 2 | 31.7 million |
Data via Blizzard‘s 2022 Q3 reports
The table shows Overwatch 2 utterly dominating its prequel‘s launch impact by over 300% thanks largely to eliminating financial barriers with its free status.
Does Overwatch 1‘s Legacy Live on?
For six brilliant years, Overwatch fostered a one-of-a-kind competitive shooter community that bonded friendships across continents. Saying farewell forever stings for the fans who grew up idolizing Tracer, voting for epic plays-of-the-game and perfecting expert strategies.
But like Reinhardt wisely says: “Do not be sad that it ended, smile because it happened!” Overwatch 1‘s joyful community lives on brighter than ever in the game‘s outstandingly received sequel.
So while servers stay offline, here‘s to the memories that remain in our hearts. The original Overwatch paved an unforgettable legacy – and Overwatch 2 promises to build upon that spiritual foundation to even greater heights!
