Overwatch 2 devs admit PVE focus led to just three new heroes at launch

In a recent AMA on Reddit, Overwatch 2 Director Aaron Keller explained what development factors led to the sequel launching with only three new heroes.

The Overwatch 2 development team has been on a press tour of sorts following the reveal live event on June 16.

Overwatch 2’s Director, Aaron Keller, spoke with gaming outlets and influencers to reveal new details about the team’s next hero shooter in the following days.

Now, a Reddit Ask-Me-Anything has given fans even more insight, with Keller going in-depth on the main reasons why Overwatch 2 will only feature Sojourn, Junker Queen, and a third unrevealed hero at launch.

Why Overwatch 2 is only launching with three new heroes

Blizzard

Junker Queen is the second new character locked in for Overwatch 2, following the reveal of the Damage hero Sojourn.

Overwatch 2’s Director responded to a comment from user ‘Hellfire_Inferno427‘ who asked “Why, after 3 years of no content, are there only 3 new heroes on launch?”

Keller, who has gone on record saying Overwatch 2 is more than just an update to the original game, provided an in-depth explanation of the development factors that led to the limited number of new heroes at launch.

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He begins by assuring that the team knows new heroes are “incredibly exciting” and that the team pours everything they can into getting them right, but said the explanation for why there aren’t more heroes “is reasonable.”

“For context, development of Overwatch 2 was initially split between the PvE and PvP sides of the game, and the way it was scheduled was to get most parts of the game completed once the game was ready to ship.”

Comment byu/Blizz_AndyB from discussion inGames

He goes on to explain that “As [the team] continued to iterate on the PvE side of the game it meant that the schedule for PvP content and features went longer.”

Keller has admitted in the past that the team’s focus on PvE content delayed Overwatch’s PvP developments, which explains why many found the first open beta’s content similar to the original game’s.

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However, he affirms that Blizzard is taking steps to remedy the issue, saying: “In order to succeed with our new plan long-term, we’ve grown and restructured the team.”

Only time will tell if Keller and the team can follow through on those goals before Overwatch 2 launches on October 4, but for now, the new direction seems promising at least.