Why Overwatch 1 had to die for Overwatch 2 to live
Overwatch 1‘s servers permanently went offline on October 3rd, 2022, ceasing operations after over 6 years. This allowed the long-in-development Overwatch 2 to fully take the mantle moving forward. But why was this total replacement necessary? As a gaming commentator and Overwatch enthusiast, I‘ll comprehensively break down the key factors behind Blizzard‘s decision.
Declining revenue forced Blizzard‘s hand
Let‘s address the 800 pound gorilla in the room – despite frequent content updates, Overwatch 1 struggled to maintain a growing player base and robust revenue over time.
Overwatch 1 Revenue and Sales Figures
| Year | Estimated Revenue | Total Copies Sold |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $585 million | 25 million |
| 2017 | $780 million | 35 million |
| 2018 | $900 million | 40 million |
| 2019 | $600 million | 50 million |
| 2020 | $400 million | 60 million |
Sources: SuperData, Statista
As we can see, revenue declined nearly 32% from 2018 to 2020. With profits shrinking and engagement stagnating, Overwatch likely became less of a priority for Activision-Blizzard.
Transitioning to a free-to-play model with the sequel aimed to breathe new life into the franchise. And with Overwatch 2 drawing over 25 million players in its first two weeks, it seems to have paid off. But why make current players purchase the original only to lose access and transfer progress?
The tech overhaul necessitated a clean break
Behind the scenes, Blizzard built Overwatch 2 on a dramatically upgraded engine, facilitating major graphical improvements and gameplay innovations. Let‘s analyze some key tech changes:
Overwatch 1 vs Overwatch 2 Features
| Feature | Overwatch 1 | Overwatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Players Per Match | 12 | 10 |
| Engine Version | Overwatch Engine 1.0 | Proprietary Engine 2.0 |
| Graphical Upgrade | Minor | Full overhaul with ray tracing, 4K textures etc. |
| New Game Modes | None after launch | Push, Escort, Hybrid, more TBA |
| Server Infrastructure | Basic P2P architecture | Enhanced cloud servers with rollbacks |
Sources: Blizzard, PC Gamer
This overhaul allows for larger maps, environmental effects, detailed heroes like Junker Queen with complex physics…features impossible in the original engine.
Rather than issue endless patches, Blizzard chose to embed this advanced technology into a new package. That explains why our Overwatch progress carries forward, but the original game does not.
Making way for a live service structure
Speaking of new content, Overwatch 2 utilizes a Game as a Service model. This means releasing seasonal battle passes, heroes, maps and modes on a regular cadence beyond launch. Maintaining two clients would waste precious development bandwidth.
Take the launch of Kiriko as an example. As a new support hero, she was locked for new players to encourage purchasing the inaugural Battle Pass. This strategy aims to accelerate revenue from Overwatch 2 out the gate.
Retiring Overwatch 1 consolidated players into one ecosystem primed for continual monetization. While controversial, channels like the Battle Pass fund ongoing content that should sustain community enthusiasm if executed well.
Only time will tell, but the financial success and technical limitations around the original Overwatch necessitated this dramatic shift.
Closing thoughts
Transition periods prove trying for dedicated communities. But by understanding the economic and technical factors motivating seismic changes, we make peace during times of upheaval.
Overwatch 1 paved the way for a revolutionary team-based shooter brimming with charismatic characters. And Overwatch 2 stands poised to build on that firm foundation for another 6 years…this time with plenty of new maps, heroes and skins to enjoy!
What farewell words would you share for the grand original? And what excites you most stepping into this next era? Let me know in the comments below!
