Overwatch 2 becomes Overwatch

Overwatch 2 is rebranding as simply ‘Overwatch’, a shift that was officially announced by Blizzard Entertainment during the Overwatch Spotlight event on February 4, 2026. This change, which had been predicted by observant players who noticed minor adjustments in promotional material and Steam product listings isn’t merely a removal of a number. It marks an ambitious transformation for the game.

The removal of “2” from Overwatch’s name sets the stage for a fresh story-driven stage starting with Season 1 on February 10, 2026. It signifies a significant change in Blizzard’s strategy for content and narrative in their hero shooter game.

The Reign of Talon: A New Narrative Arc

2026 stands out as the year when Overwatch debuts its first full-fledged narrative, dubbed “The Reign of Talon”. This year-long story arc has a defined beginning, middle, and end. In this narrative, a global conflict ensues where the group called Vendetta seizes control of Talon by ousting Doomfist and challenging Overwatch. Vendetta operates openly and decisively, with a clear objective to dominate the world.

The complex narrative will be rolled out across the year through six seasonal content releases via diverse mediums such as cinematics, short stories, digital comics, in-game events, and map updates. A new “Narrative Viewer” will be integrated into the game, making it possible for players to follow the narrative without exiting the game.

Introduction of 10 New Heroes in 2026

In 2026, Blizzard plans to introduce 10 new game characters, the most in a single year yet. Season 1 will see the addition of five heroes, among them Jetpack Cat, with one additional hero being added each season for the rest of the year. Each new character is intricately tied to the unfolding story.

Significant Gameplay and System Changes

Several gameplay and system changes are set to debut, including:

• A complete overhaul of the UI, with redesigned menus, lobbies, and in-match systems.
• Introduction of “Conquest”, a unique meta-event feature—limited-time faction battles where players can support either Overwatch or Talon for unique rewards.
• A new Hero Builder tool that provides hero build suggestions based on worldwide player usage.
• The return of post-match voting cards and accolades from the original Overwatch.
• A reset of competitive mode with added new rewards like Crimson Wolf weapon skins and rarity-based competitive titles.

A Change in Narrative Delivery Approach

The game’s new content strategy discards the less popular story missions, and instead embeds the story directly into the core PvP experience. In words of Aaron Keller, the game director, this switch permits the team to deliver more story and content without the extra resource requirements dedicated to story missions.