Overwatch 2: Are 6v6 Matches Making a Comeback? Developer Insights

With the launch of Overwatch 2, Blizzard made the choice to eliminate 6v6 matches in favor of 5v5, which reduced the number of Tanks on both teams to just one. Since then, players have been clamoring for the return of the original 6v6 format.

With Season 11 now underway, the developers have shared insights on how they believe Tanks are performing in the current meta and the “difficult position”the role is in. This has led many players to speculate whether Blizzard might reinstate the extra Tank slot in a future update.

So, is 6v6 set to make a comeback in Overwatch 2? Here’s what we know so far.

Are 6v6 matches returning to Overwatch 2?

Blizzard is beginning to test the possibility of reintroducing the 6v6 format in an upcoming update, as confirmed by Game Director Aaron Keller.

“We’re exploring how we can test different forms of 6v6 in the game to gauge the results. This is taking some time, however, for reasons that may not be readily apparent,” he stated in the latest Director’s Take.

The first reason it may take some time to test is that the developers must implement changes while considering the technical performance. Overwatch 2 has numerous additions and modifications compared to the original game that could significantly impact performance if 6v6 returns.

6v6 Playtests are coming to #Overwatch2 🤯 Aaron Keller announced that they will conduct multiple events to test different 6v6 formats in the game. These tests, running for a few weeks, aim to gather feedback and help inform Overwatch’s future. pic.twitter.com/3e6nxy4bLc

— Overwatch Cavalry (@OWCavalry) July 25, 2024

The second consideration is that Keller and the development team previously struggled to maintain reasonable queue times. Transitioning to a 6v6 format could exacerbate this issue, leading to longer waits for players to join matches.

Lastly, it’s important to note that millions of Overwatch players have only experienced the 5v5 format. Since the game went free-to-play with the release of the sequel, its player base has seen rapid growth, indicating that not every player is clamoring for a return to 6v6.

Interestingly, the ongoing discussions have sparked ideas about different team compositions that could exist outside of the strict frameworks of 5v5 and 6v6.
“We think there could be other ways of assembling a team that aren’t as rigid as a set composition but not as loose as Open Queue. We’ll be running at least one Quick Play: Hacked based on this idea in Season 13,” Keller explained.

The broader takeaway is that many factors must be considered to ensure that a potential 6v6 format is balanced, and player feedback will be crucial in determining its future.

Why was 6v6 removed?

There are several reasons why Blizzard transitioned to a 5v5 format with the launch of Overwatch 2, focusing significantly on player agency and Hero effectiveness.

According to Keller, previous 6v6 matches often heavily relied on Ultimate ability combinations to breach enemy Tank lines due to the presence of two Tanks. Additionally, the lack of synergy among Tanks frequently led to frustrating matches.

Furthermore, Support players were compelled to prioritize healing given the larger health pools within a 6v6 team. This resulted in a loss of utility during matches, which the 5v5 format aimed to rectify.

Keller also noted that DPS players often felt their contributions had minimal impact against larger teams, making it more challenging to track 11 other players compared to the 9 in a 5v5 configuration.

The next major update for Overwatch 2 is Season 12, which will introduce the new Hero, Juno. There’s much to anticipate before we reach the testing phase for new formats in Season 13, and we will keep you informed with any updates as they become available.

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