Overwatch 2 Making Big Changes to UI, Progression, and Social Expression

Overwatch 2 is working on some big improvements to how one engages with the game, including overhauls to the user interface, progression, and endorsement systems. Though these changes are still in development, Overwatch 2 fans might start seeing some of them as early as Season 18.

Over the last few months, Overwatch 2 has been making some big swings. The return of Loot Boxes, the breakout launch of the Stadium game mode, and the arrival of systems like Perks, Hero Bans, and Map Voting have made the recent seasons of Overwatch 2 some of the most popular ones yet.

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However, it seems Overwatch 2 is not content to rest on its laurels, and is already working on some more improvements to the game on the fundamental level. In a recent Director’s Take blog, Overwatch 2 discussed some of its plans to improve the game with an emphasis on player agency. With the addition of Unranked Stadium in Overwatch 2 Season 18, there will be six main ways to play the game, all before considering things like Arcade, Hero Mastery, and Story Missions. To fight against this clutter, Overwatch 2 is working on ways to streamline the main menu, including improvements to navigation between screens, and a revamped Arcade experience.

Overwatch 2 Improving How You Play Overwatch

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The progression system is another place that Overwatch 2 hopes to make improvements. That said, rather than a singular massive overhaul, fans can expect this aspect of the game to be built up over time, “by adding more ways for you to earn cool stuff, chase your chosen goals, and feel rewarded for your time.” Overwatch 2 cited Loot Boxes as a place where it succeeded in this regard in the past, which could hint at what players could see in the future.

Blizzard also has plans to improve the endorsement system. Overwatch 1 utilized end-of-match voting cards that allowed fans to highlight stats during each game, a feature that was exceptionally popular, and that many were upset to see vanish in the sequel. While it doesn’t seem like this system will return to how it was in the original game, Blizzard has ideas about how aspects of that social expression could return. Blizzard hopes these changes to the endorsement system in Overwatch 2 will make it so that “players can recognize and interact with one another in positive, supportive ways.”

Season 18 of Overwatch 2 will be refreshing the Perks system, but Blizzard is considering other ways it can give fans control over decisions in moment-to-moment gameplay. Nothing is set in stone yet, but the goal is to “offer more meaningful choices, increase strategy and depth, and really deliver on the power fantasy of each hero,” all while avoiding “stacking on new systems or adding friction for players.” Gamers will have to wait and see how these changes manifest in the game, but it seems like Overwatch 2 will not be losing its momentum any time soon.