Overwatch 2 will be compatible with the original Overwatch

Overwatch 2 players will be able to play alongside original Overwatch players and will take their unlocked cosmetics for the original roster with them into the new game (via Windows Central). 

This is reassuring because I had concerns that the new Switch players would have been left in the dust, even though they’d only recently joined the fray. In a press release, Blizzard stated clearly that it will continue to support the community and that the sequel will let Overwatch players jump into the PvP modes of Overwatch 2. In fact, the new title will bring all of its original’s content into the game to guarantee compatibility.

Overwatch 2 will be ‘carrying forward all of the original game’s heroes, maps, and modes—as well as existing Overwatch players’ accomplishments and loot collections’. What a relief. As well as uniting both player bases, the transfer means that people won’t be losing their cosmetics that took a lot of effort to unlock. 

The new game will also introduce new heroes, and we got a glimpse of the first of these fresh faces in Overwatch 2’s gameplay trailer. First mentioned in the Storm Rising event, Sojourn seems to be a new DPS hero with a prosthetic arm that swaps between a plasma rifle and  plasma cannon. Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan confirmed she is the first Canadian hero, but more significantly, she is the first playable black female character in the series. 

It was left unsaid as to when Sojourn would arrive in game, but Overwatch 2 players will get to visit a new Toronto map, as well as other destinations unique to the new game. We also see robo-hero Echo very briefly in the gameplay and cinematic trailers, but Blizzard kept quiet on their details. I’m sure we’ll hear soon what role Sojourn and Echo play in the Overwatch universe, so watch this space.

Overwatch 2 is in development, but we don’t know when it will release nor which platforms it is planned for. Check out the gameplay trailer below.