Will Overwatch 1 Servers Ever Come Back?
As a long-time Overwatch 1 player and content creator, this is a question I‘ve been getting nonstop since Overwatch 2 fully replaced the original game on October 4th, 2022. After Blizzard permanently shut down the OW1 servers to make way for the sequel, many fans have wondered if their favorite game is gone for good.
The short answer based on all evidence: No, Overwatch 1 servers will NOT be coming back and the game cannot be played independently anymore.
I‘ll explain the reasoning in detail below.
Why Overwatch 1 Had To Be Shut Down
While incredibly disappointing for dedicated OW1 fans, there are some practical reasons Blizzard turned off the lights for good:
- Supporting two separate live game environments with different codebases would stretch engineering resources too thin
- Splitting the playerbase across two games undermines the goal of building OW2 as a singular platform
- Certain core technical changes in OW2 (5v5, engine upgrade etc.) make backwards compatibility difficult
- Keeping OW1 functional hinders developers from improving and expanding OW2 post-launch
As Game Director Aaron Keller explained:
"When OW2 launches on Oct 4th it will be a replacement for the current Live Service."
So out of technical necessity and for the health of Overwatch 2, the OG game had to be phased out.
Analyzing the Player Count and Engagement Data
While public player data is limited, we can get some sense of engagement levels between the two titles:
| Game | All-Time Peak Players | Avg Players (November 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatch 1 | 1.29 million (April 2022) | 200,000-300,000 |
| Overwatch 2 | 1.6 million (October 2022 – Launch Week) | N/A |
The fact Overwatch 2 surpassed OW1‘s peak in its launch week shows strong momentum. And anecdotally, queue times remain very quick, signaling an active community.
This level of viral interest in OW2 suggests moving forward as a single, unified platform was the smart play by Blizzard.
Fragmenting progress by diverting attention back to OW1 risks losing many of these new and returning players.
The Content Pipeline Makes a Comeback Unlikely
By reviewing the Overwatch development roadmap, it becomes clear the team is 100% focused on creating new OW2 content:
- Multiple new heroes and maps in the works
- Regular balance changes and meta shakeups
- Events like Winter Wonderland starting up
- Entirely rebuilt graphics/audio engine receiving ongoing polish
There are no signs of OW1-specific development or maintenance workflows.
Prioritizing brand new OW2 content over an outdated version would be the only sensible approach for Blizzard.
From every angle – technology, gameplay design, and community engagement – Overwatch 1 looks left behind for good.
The Business Model Shift Prevents Revival
We also can‘t ignore financial considerations. With Overwatch 2, Blizzard has fundamentally shifted the series‘ business model:
- Transitioned to free-to-play access for wider appeal
- Introduced seasonal Battle Pass monetization system
- In-game shop with various cosmetic bundles
- Clearly focused on consistent content updates to drive revenue
Maintaining Overwatch 1 as a separate $40 box product simply wouldn‘t fit this games-as-a-service strategy.
Allowing a cheaper/free alternative with much of the same PVP gameplay would undermine their GAAS ecosystem. So as a matter of business priorities, OW1 staying offline permanently makes total sense.
Evaluating the Technical Feasibility
From a pure engineering perspective, Blizzard likely could revive OW1 servers even after integration with OW2 systems. But significant development work specifically for OW1 would be required:
- Diverting engineering bandwidth to support and secure aged OW1 infrastructure
- Rebuilding matchmaking and lobbies for a smaller standalone playerbase
- Updating old code to fix stability/compatibility issues sure to emerge
Considering how much work goes into keeping OW2 running smoothly it‘s virtually impossible to also provide playable, up-keep for OW1 long-term.
When factoring in the costs, splitting their focus makes no sense for Blizzard.
How Fans Are Remembering Overwatch 1
While the original game holds a special place for many of us, parts of OW1 live on through OW2.
Our unlocked skins, sprays, emotes and other goodies made the journey with us. And many beloved maps plus all 31 launch heroes return visually enhanced.
The core 6v6 gameplay so integral to OW1 will also come back via limited-time modes or custom games – so future nostalgia hits are possible!
For instance, Jeff Kaplan has hinted at a 6v6 Classic mode. So bits of OW1 DNA will linger, just not as a separately run game.
The original 31 heroes live on with visual enhancements!
The Bottom Line – Let OW1 Rest in Peace
Given everything we‘ve covered, Overwatch 1 coming back in fully standalone form seems essentially impossible at this point.
The technical hurdles, divided community, obsolete code and business priorities all strongly work against OW1 returning to life.
As heartbreaking as it sounds, players and developers must look forward to everything Overwatch 2 makes possible. That seems the clear path set by Blizzard.
So for fans like myself who poured countless hours into OW1 matches, take comfort that it‘s core spirit persists. Be sure to share your favorite OW1 memories and celebrate all the fun moments that game facilitated!
But at the same time, shift focus to embracing the faster pace and strategic changes of OW2. Queue up with friends new and old for all-night gaming sessions. There is still so much potential and fun to be had in the games future!
Now enough reminiscing – I need to work on my Kiriko headshots before Season 2! Let me know in the comments what gameplay you miss most from OW1.
