How Long Until Overwatch 1 Shuts Down?
Blizzard has finally confirmed that Overwatch 1 will shut down soon. The game, launched in 2016, will cease to exist by October 3, when its servers will go offline permanently. But what about Overwatch 2? Does it mean that Overwatch players won’t be able to play the original game, or will they receive refunds on their purchases? And why is Overwatch 2 such a big deal anyway?
When Does Overwatch 1 Shut Down?
According to Blizzard’s confirmation, Overwatch 1’s servers will shut down at 9am PDT, 12pm EDT, 5pm BST, and 6pm CEST on October 3. This means that Overwatch players have until the evening of October 2 to play the game for one last time.
Are Players Getting Refunds on Their Purchases?
As for refunds, unfortunately, players won’t receive them on their purchases for Overwatch 1. In Blizzard’s words, players have already had their opportunity to play the game, and refunds are not available for unused tokens or in-game currency.
What about Overwatch 2? How Good is It?
Now, let’s talk about Overwatch 2! It’s an unorthodox sequel, to say the least. New characters and maps are good additions, but the gameplay isn’t drastically different from its original release. Many have argued that Blizzard could have added these features to Overwatch 1 instead of creating a new game.
| Feature | Overwatch 1 | Overwatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| New Characters | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| New Maps | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Gameplay Variety | Minimal | Slightly more variety |
| Radical Changes | ✖️ | ❌ |
Why Overwatch 2 is a Major Change
So, what’s the big deal about Overwatch 2? Mainly, it’s an entirely free game, with no monetization model. Players who had purchased Overwatch 1 in the past will not receive a refund, but they will have access to both Overwatch 1 and 2. New players will be able to dive right in without any monetary investment.
Summary and Conclusion
In summary, Overwatch 1 is set to shut down its servers on October 3. Players won’t receive refunds on their purchases for Overwatch 1, and they will have to opt into playing Overwatch 2 to continue playing the franchise. While Overwatch 2 might not be a huge leap forward in terms of gameplay, it’s still a significant change in Blizzard’s approach to the Overwatch series.