After struggling to salvage sequel-sized modifications, followers deem Blizzard could retire the ‘2’ in Overwatch’s title essentially based mostly mostly on Season 16 leaks

Blizzard Entertainment has quite controversially transformed its premium hero shooter Overwatch into a freemium live service game Overwatch 2 a few years ago. Instead of a traditional sequel, Overwatch 2 appeared more like a comprehensive overhaul with extensive changes and bold promises for the future. However, the company may now be considering dropping the ‘2’ from its title.

This is the common consensus among fans, particularly after early leaks regarding Overwatch 2 Season 16 surfaced, allegedly revealing a significant change to skin cosmetics.

Within the game’s customization options, each hero’s original skin from the classic game is tagged as Overwatch 1, while their redesigned default skins from the quasi-sequel are labeled Overwatch 2. The latest leaks suggest that Overwatch 1 skins will now be categorized as ‘Classic,’ and Overwatch 2 skins will be termed ‘Bold,’ fueling speculation that Blizzard might simply eliminate the ‘2’ altogether.

The leak also features early glimpses of Juno’s Mythic skin, a remix of Junker Queen’s Zeus outfit, along with a collaboration with Gundam, maintaining Overwatch’s trend of anime crossovers. (For further details, Eurogamer.)

Of course, all of this remains mere speculation unless Activision Blizzard confirms or refutes the rumor directly. (Alternatively, it is quite possible that Season 16 will come and go without any name alterations.)

However, Blizzard has long struggled to justify why Overwatch 2 needed to exist as a distinct entity, aside from obviously transforming the way it operates as a revenue source. The sequel’s ambitious co-op campaign was ultimately abandoned, and the original game’s 6v6 format has returned, resulting in gameplay that feels closer to the 2016 Overwatch experience. (Interestingly, loot boxes are back as well.) To the team’s credit, Overwatch 2 has recently introduced some attractive updates that include upgradeable abilities and an exciting third-person game mode.

My aspirations for an Overwatch anime or Diablo horror film are strong as Blizzard’s president notes “we are Blizzard Entertainment, and not just Blizzard Games”