‘Overwatch 2’ Beta Gets Big Update, Here’s What To Expect

The wildly popular Overwatch is getting a sequel, but you already knew that. Overwatch 2 is currently in its beta stage but new changes are coming often. This week, the beta got a brand new patch update, changing the game entirely.

The goal of the beta is to test the cross-play and console features, however, the beta is fine-tuning that experience even further. The new update modifies the Quick Play queue, allowing players to use the competitive ruleset within each map in different game modes. Players are also able to play on both offense and defense using the same competitive rulesets in hybrid and payload maps.

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There is also a plethora of new features added to the game. These include a new hero in Junker Queen and a ton of new weapons. For example, a new pump-action shotgun named the Scatter Gun, and a new secondary weapon called the Jagged Blade which has a ton of new abilities. Players can throw the blade as a ranged weapon to attack, then re-activate it to pull it back, bringing the impaled enemy along with it. There are also new abilities added, like Commanding Shout, which increases the health and speed of the player and nearby teammates, and Carnage, which wounds enemies near you and deals damage one time.

Outside of in-game combat additions, there are also a ton of changes to the overall visual experience of the game. Players with limited GPU now have a dynamic render scale. With this, PC players can specify a minimum and maximum resolution scale. There are also Confirm and Cancel visuals added for pings, a reorganized layout to the scoreboard, improved processed indicators and transparency adjustments to the scoreboard.

Sonically, the game has improved as well. All ambient soundscapes are mixed for surround sound, Xbox players now have support for Dolby Atmos for home theater and 3D audio over headphones and PS5 players now have support for Sony 3D audio.

There are tons more changes under the hood, but Overwatch 2 is shaping up to be one of the more polished games ahead of its release this fall.

Overwatch 2 will release on October 4.