Last week, Blizzard launched Season 18 of Overwatch 2, featuring a new Hero, Stadium upgrades, and a revamped progression system. The season also includes the Play Like Luka event, a collaboration with pro basketball player Luka Dončić and a Grandmaster Overwatch player, offering up to 77 loot boxes and exclusive Stadium builds.
To promote the season worldwide, game director Aaron and lead designer Alec Dawson traveled to major gaming events. Aaron attended gamescom in Germany, while Alec and several team members visited China for community launch events centered around the new support Hero, Wuyang.
Alec’s China experience: The team participated in celebrations in Chengdu, including a community event featuring show matches against top Chinese esports players like JinMu, presentations, and open discussions with fans. Players shared their passion for Overwatch, with some wearing necklaces displaying their ranks and others recounting relationships formed through the game. The event highlighted Overwatch’s global reach and the diversity of player experiences, underscoring the importance of region-specific feedback and features.
Aaron’s gamescom reflections: Gamescom offered a lively atmosphere and opportunities to engage with fans, many of whom expressed excitement for Season 18 and the future direction of Overwatch. The development team’s goal this season was not only to introduce big features but also to refine existing systems, focusing on Perks, progression, competitive play, and Stadium enhancements.
The team follows a yearly release strategy that starts with a major game update followed by a mid-year season that expands and improves on those features. After positive community responses to this approach in 2024, they plan to continue delivering impactful updates that evolve gameplay and player engagement.
Looking ahead, Blizzard aims to create high-impact moments that redefine the Overwatch experience, moving away from conservative updates to bold, exciting changes. The team invites players to stay tuned for upcoming developments and thanks the community for their ongoing support.