Why Blizzard’s Rumored FPS RPG Won’t Exactly Be Overwatch 2

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Why Blizzard's Rumored FPS RPG Won't Exactly Be Overwatch 2

Key Takeaways

  • Rumors of a new Blizzard project, a first-person RPG, have Overwatch 2 fans hopeful.
  • Overwatch 2’s PvE content once interested fans, but development struggles have left its fate uncertain.
  • However, the rumored project may be unrelated to Overwatch and could be a new IP. Additionally, even if it is set in the Overwatch universe, it could play entirely different from the PvE missions previously featured within the hero shooter.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen the rise and fall of countless gaming giants. From the golden age of Blizzard Entertainment to the modern era where they’re still holding their own, I’ve been there, played that. So when whispers started circulating about a secret project in the works, I was intrigued – especially since it was rumored to be connected to Overwatch 2.

There are whispers that Blizzard is working on a clandestine project, leading gamers to ponder if it might involve Overwatch 2. With the recent alteration of the Senior Director of Product Management for Overwatch 2‘s LinkedIn profile, anticipation in the gaming community has surged. The Blizzard staff member updated their Experience timeline with a note about an upcoming AAA RPG-FPS game for PC and consoles, although this information might not have been intended for public consumption yet. Despite the title of the entry being modified to simply “Unannounced AAA Title (PC/Console),” the essence of the project remains unchanged.

Although some fans speculate that the unrevealed title could be an expansion of Overwatch 2, it’s possible that it won’t align perfectly with their expectations. Despite the franchise’s remarkable success since its debut in 2016, the disputes surrounding the sequel have left a significant mark. Consequently, if this clandestine project shares ties with the Overwatch universe, it might not share many similarities with the initial games.

Blizzard’s Rumored Unannounced Title Might Not Share Much DNA With Overwatch 2

Why Blizzard's Rumored FPS RPG Won't Exactly Be Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2’s Lore Potential Remains Largely Untapped

Despite the cancellation of PvE content for Overwatch 2 back in March due to underwhelming sales and staff reductions within Team 4 responsible for those missions, there continues to be a strong interest in story-driven content related to Overwatch. For instance, the animated cinematics that frequently accompany character introductions or delve deeper into the lore have consistently been popular. Furthermore, the anime-style mini-series, comics, books, and PvE missions continue to resonate with players, fostering hope among fans for further explorations of this universe.

Initially, it was intended for Overwatch 2 to unveil fresh narrative missions every 18 months. However, after a series of Blizzard layoffs earlier this year, former employees speculate that the content in development may never see the light of day. As one developer put it, “If they’re going to create more of that stuff, they just let go of all the people who were working on it.” The laid-off employees from the Overwatch team primarily worked on this aspect, raising doubts about its future. Moreover, former Lead Principal Designer Gavin Jurgens-Fyhrie shared on Twitter his affection for the story that Team 4 developed and his hope that it will be shared someday.

Blizzard May Be Trying An Entirely New Approach

If the PvE missions didn’t meet Blizzard’s standards due to criticisms about their similarity to the annual Overwatch Archives events, weak character development, and limited replay value, there are rumors that a new project might take a completely different approach. This could be beneficial, especially if it maintains popular features like the upcoming skill trees from Overwatch 2 that didn’t appear in the Season 6 missions. Since the original post hints at RPG-FPS elements for the title and resembles games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Fallout 4, or The Outer Worlds, the upcoming game could have a distinct feel from Overwatch, even if it’s set in the same universe.

Blizzard’s Secret Title Might Be Completely Unrelated to Overwatch

Another possibility is that this secret title might be a fresh intellectual property instead of a sequel or spin-off within the hero-shooter genre. While some assume a link to Overwatch due to Chris McCabe’s role as Senior Director of Product Management, who has worked on Overwatch 2, his LinkedIn profile also reveals that he was part of an unannounced AAA Survival Game known as Project Odyssey – a project that Blizzard discontinued in January this year.

In a mythical setting, this game was anticipated to resemble titles like Minecraft and Rust, without any apparent link to Overwatch. Consequently, the upcoming FPS RPG could potentially stand alone with no significant overlap or similarities with Overwatch 2, as it may not share the same universe or gameplay mechanics as a hero-shooter. At present, we await Blizzard to disclose official information regarding this new game and any potential connections to their existing franchises before its unveiling.

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2024-09-10 21:33