Overwatch 2 Developer Acknowledges “Obvious” Hero Bans Following Marvel Rivals Event

Overwatch 2 is poised to implement hero bans, a feature that Game Director Aaron Keller feels optimistic about after observing its successful integration in Marvel Rivals. This change is slated to debut in Season 16 of Overwatch 2, alongside a highly anticipated map voting feature which will follow shortly after.

While not the pioneer of hero bans, Overwatch 2’s development team now recognizes this adjustment as a clear and logical progression in gameplay. Marvel Rivals has surged in popularity, overtaking Overwatch in terms of active players and Twitch viewership, largely due to its captivating 6v6 format.

The introduction of hero bans in Marvel Rivals has sparked discussions among higher-ranked teams, especially Diamond and above, allowing them to proactively address balance issues by banning difficult characters that disrupt gameplay.

Insights Gained from Marvel Rivals: Overwatch 2’s Approach to Hero Bans

In a candid interview with Games Radar, Keller shared that the idea of hero bans was explored internally about two years ago, initially by a small team passionate about game balance.

“It was on and off our development schedules. There had been discussions about implementing it for this year or as far ahead as 2025, but concerns and hesitations were persistent, ” he explained.

Many feared that this system would restrict players’ choices, limiting the heroes they can embody, and potentially exacerbate the competitive edge between teams when certain heroes get banned. Such thoughts resonated particularly among players who main specific characters, as they’d face disadvantages if their preferred choices were restricted.

Despite resistance, advocates of the hero ban feature argue that it enhances gameplay balance and variety. Keller acknowledges the influence of Marvel Rivals in shifting perspectives on the issue, remarking, “I might face some backlash for saying this, but watching it flourish in Marvel Rivals highlights that our earlier objections were valid but overemphasized.”

He adds, “It has become much clearer to us that implementing hero bans is the right path forward. While we’d planned to proceed with it regardless, our confidence in its execution has markedly increased.”

Keller views the emergence of Marvel Rivals not merely as competition, but as an impetus for the Overwatch 2 team to rise to the occasion, ultimately striving to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience.

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