Overwatch 2 Becomes Simply Overwatch

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Effective February 10, 2026, Overwatch 2 has been rebranded as simply Overwatch, marking a complete overhaul that includes five new characters and a shift away from its status as a sequel. This update, released during Season 1, signifies a fresh start for the game, which had struggled to match the player numbers of its predecessor since its initial release in 2022. On February 4, 2026, the developers announced the addition of ten new heroes, with five becoming available on February 10. This represents the most significant character expansion in Overwatch’s history since its original launch. In December 2024, NetEase released Marvel Rivals. Following Overwatch’s February 2026 update, its player count on Xbox surged by 39.4%, reaching its highest level since 2024 on the weekly Xbox chart. This surge propelled Overwatch to ninth place on the Xbox weekly charts, surpassing Marvel Rivals, which ranked thirteenth. This is Overwatch’s first time surpassing Marvel Rivals since the latter’s launch.

New Overwatch Update Introduces Jetpack Cat and Subclasses, Attracts Player Surge on Multiple Platforms

The introduction of the new hero, Jetpack Cat, has generated considerable discussion within the Overwatch community. Due to concerns about Jetpack Cat’s impact on ranked gameplay, Blizzard has requested players to cease autobanning the character in specific modes. Some players speculate about Jetpack Cat’s backstory, suggesting a connection to genetic modification or secret villainous plots. To reward players, Blizzard is offering free items related to Jetpack Cat. The initial group of new heroes includes Domina (Tank), Emre (DPS), Anran (DPS), Mizuki (Support), and Jetpack Cat (Support). Five additional heroes will be introduced later in 2026. According to Omelete, the update has attracted a substantial influx of new players, enabling Overwatch to surpass Marvel Rivals on Xbox. TrueAchievements reported a 99.99% increase in users viewing Overwatch achievements following the overhaul announcement. The addition of these five heroes also brings a change to the game’s systems, with the introduction of character subclasses to denote more specialized roles. Overwatch, formerly Overwatch 2, is available for free on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Disclaimer: This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Portal PlayersForLife.

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