Overwatch 2 is returning to the original Overwatch’s 6v6 format (and all of its original character abilities and maps) for a limited-time in an upcoming event mode Blizzard is calling Overwatch: Classic.
It is basically as the name implies; from November 12 to December 2, Overwatch 1 will essentially be playable inside Overwatch 2. That means the mode will only feature the game’s original roster of 21 heroes and their original abilities, on modes and maps from Overwatch 1. It also means that, at least for the first few days of the event, “there will be no hero limits and no role limits,” as was the case when Overwatch first launched. After those first few days, a single hero rule per team will be enforced for the remainder of Overwatch: Classic, according to Blizzard’s announcement blog.
As Blizzard describes it, the event brings back the “chaotic” gameplay from Overwatch 1, complete with some of the roster’s completely match-altering abilities, like Mercy’s team-reviving Resurrect ultimate or Symmetra’s powerful, map-spanning teleporters. It also means a return to friendly-fire, as D.VA and Junkrat will once again be able to harm themselves with their abilities.
There will, however, be a few differences between Overwatch 1 and Overwatch: Classic. For starters, loot boxes and the original Overwatch’s UI aren’t coming back, nor are the original, non-reworked versions of Overwatch’s maps. Instead, it will use the reworked Overwatch 2 versions of the original Overwatch’s 12 launch maps. Players also won’t be able to use skins or cosmetics, even if they are from the original game, when playing Overwatch: Classic. Heroes will instead be restricted to their default appearance in Overwatch 1 for the event.
Blizzard had previously announced it would be testing a return to 6v6 for Overwatch 2, but Blizzard insists that Overwatch: Classic is not that. Additionally, Blizzard says it’s not planning for Overwatch: Classic to be a one-and-done event and that it could return, even if it doesn’t have much more to say at this time.
“While we’re not planning for this to be a single event, we will be measuring player response to inform our future plans,” Blizzard writes.
Blizzard’s announcement of Overwatch: Classic further contributes to a trend of popular shooters, like Fortnite and Apex: Legends, banking on the nostalgia players have for the launch versions of their favorite games. Fortnite is reportedly bringing back its Fortnite OG game mode (feauring the game’s original map and weapons) permanently in December. Meanwhile, Apex: Legends’ Season 23 introduced Launch Royale, a limited-time mode that brings back the game’s original map, characters, weapons, and abilities much like Overwatch: Classic will.
Overwatch 2 recently launched Season 13, which brought a new PvP Halloween event alongside major balance changes to heroes like Sombra and some of the game’s most popular tanks. As for when players can expect more 6v6 action, Blizzard says it will be conducting 6v6 tests during Season 14, which begins on December 10. The first test will require a hero in each role, while a second test slated for later in the season will test out the “classic 2-2-2″ role composition,” with some tweaks.