The wait forOverwatch 2is increasingly frustrating forOverwatchplayers. The decision to developOverwatch 2rather than grow and expandOverwatchover time has led to many frustrations for the fanbase. Not only did beloved game director Jeff Kaplan leave Blizzard, along with many other keyOverwatchdevelopers, but content releases have slowed dramatically. Contributing toOverwatchfan disappointment, a new rumor is spreading thatOverwatch 2is downgrading its visuals in order to support the game on mobile devices.The rumor was recently summed up in a tweet from artist and animator BixelsWixels on Twitter. Their post provides three screenshotcomparisons betweenOverwatchandOverwatch 2, specifically focusing on the Hero Torbjorn. BixelsWixels calls attention to what they describe as “simplified” designs inOverwatch 2that remove a significant amount of detail in Torbjorn’s hammer, riven gun, and opposing hand claw. This simplification, BixelWixel believes, is due to a “downgrade” in visuals that they attribute to Blizzard’s choice to bringOverwatch 2to mobile devices.RELATED:Overwatch 2 Delay is More Reason to Keep the Two Games SeparateOverwatch 2has not, it should be made clear, been announced for mobile devices. It hasn’t been announced for any platforms, for that matter. However, BixelWixel also posts evidence thatOverwatch 2will be coming to mobile devices, including linking a job position for theOverwatchteam titled “Project Manager, Mobile Project.” A previous rumor from Dexerto’s Richard Lewis also indicated Blizzard’s intention to make amobile version ofOverwatch 2, though it had at the time been shelved due to the pandemic.
What the rumor entails is that Blizzard is now prioritizing a build ofOverwatch 2that scales between platforms that include mobile devices, next-generation consoles, and PC. TheNintendo Switchis also speculated as a planned platform, and has even been teased by a Blizzard developer. As a result, Blizzard’s designs forOverwatch 2are taking on a much more simplified style, as opposed to the improved detail previously shown duringOverwatch 2showcases.
It must be made clear that this rumor is heavily rooted in speculation and hearsay. While there is some reporting and evidence indicating a possible mobile version ofOverwatch 2, the visual “downgrade” could be attributed entirely toBlizzard design decisions, unfinished content, and screenshots from the game’s alpha.
AllOverwatchplayers can do is wait and watch, as they’ve done so far. Scalability doesn’t necessarily mean downgraded graphics, but on the other hand the departure of Kaplan,Overwatch 2’s seeming delay, and the ongoing gender discrimination and harassmentcontroversies surrounding Activision CEO Bobby Kotickand the company at large do deservedly demand a skeptical eye. Perhaps some answers will be forthcoming in 2022.
Overwatch 2is currently in development.
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