Overwatch 2 Developers Hint at No Return to 6v6 Mode Despite Positive Player Feedback

Despite a largely positive reception from players during the ongoing experimental playtest, the future of a 6v6 format in Overwatch 2 remains uncertain. The game’s community is currently experimenting with a role queue system that allows for two tanks, providing a nostalgic echo of the original gameplay mechanics.

This 6v6 setup has garnered favorable feedback, particularly from tank players, a role that has encountered challenges in attracting a substantial player base over the years. Building on this momentum, Blizzard has announced a second playtest that offers players the chance to select up to three characters per role, while still ensuring that at least one character from each role is chosen. This change aims to recreate aspects of Overwatch‘s launch state and improve waiting times while fostering effective team compositions.

Developers Remain Hesitant on 6v6 Transition

Three new Overwatch skins — Image Credit: Blizzard

In a recent blog update, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller acknowledged the positive response to the playtest but noted that a permanent return to 6v6 is not guaranteed. Keller remarked, “If we were ever to make 6v6 a permanent part of the game, this version would eliminate the queue time issues that we had in the past.” This statement implies that the developers still have reservations about fully reinstituting the 6v6 format.

The transition back to 6v6 isn’t straightforward; it would necessitate significant rework of numerous characters and maps. Several heroes, such as Lifeweaver, were crafted with the 5v5 model in mind, leading to potential balance issues when trying to accommodate multiple tanks. Furthermore, the abilities of characters like Sombra have dramatically changed due to the shifts introduced by the 5v5 system.

Queue times also remain a significant concern for the development team. The newly proposed “minimum of 1, maximum of 3” format is intended to address the lengthy queue times that have plagued the game in the past. Historically, long wait times were a key factor in the decision to adopt the 5v5 format, and a return to 6v6 may exacerbate the already existing issues with tank role queues in the original game.

Nonetheless, enthusiasm for the 6v6 format persists within the Overwatch 2 community. Players are encouraged to engage in the ongoing playtest and share their experiences and opinions on social media to express their preferences for moving away from the current 5v5 setup.

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