Overwatch 2 recently launched its 17th season, featuring a retro-themed battle pass, new heroes, Stadium mode maps, and a new map voting system across all game modes. While these updates have been well received, the introduction of map voting has sparked debate within the community.
The new system presents players with three map options before a match. Players vote for their preferred map, then a weighted roulette randomly selects the final stage. The more votes a map receives, the higher its chance of being chosen. However, the design still allows maps with minimal votes to be selected, which some players find frustrating.
On Blizzard’s forums, opinions vary. Some players appreciate that the system offers every player some influence over the map selection and reduces repetitive play on popular maps. Others criticize the randomness, pointing to instances where a map with a single vote was picked over more popular choices. There is speculation that the weighting method may treat less-voted maps differently, though this remains unconfirmed.
Critics suggest replacing the roulette with a majority vote to ensure the most popular map wins. However, this could lead to matches being played repeatedly on a small set of favorite maps, reducing variety.
Players also report difficulty accessing new maps through voting. For example, the new Flashpoint map Aatlis introduced this season has rarely been played due to low votes, limiting player exposure. Previously, random map assignment ensured all maps rotated through regular play.
Some propose limiting map voting to ranked modes where players seek competitive control, while quick-play could return to random map selection. This could alleviate frustration for casual players who want spontaneous matches without added complications.
The system is under a week old, so adjustments may still come as Blizzard and the community adapt. Developers are expected to monitor feedback and refine map voting to enhance player satisfaction during the season.