Overwatch 2 Stadium is the FPS’ most-played mode, and it’s solely getting higher

It is protected to say that Overwatch 2 Stadium may have saved Blizzard’s troubled FPS. Nonetheless clocking in as one in every of Steam’s worst-rated video games, current critiques have risen to blended: 45% of gamers who’ve rated Overwatch 2 within the final 30 days say they prefer it, in comparison with the sport’s damning 23% constructive rating general. Most of these critiques cite Stadium because the shooter’s saving grace, with many claiming that the Overwatch sequel has lastly earned its ‘2.’ However, as introduced on Thursday Might 1, Stadium’s about to go from power to power, with Season 17 and 18 including some fan-favorite heroes to the roster, in addition to new maps, the Payload Race recreation mode, and, after all, crossplay.

So let’s begin with the stats. In keeping with Blizzard’s newest Stadium-focused weblog put up, Overwatch 2’s new mode has surpassed each Quickplay and Aggressive when it comes to recognition. In launch week alone, there have been “2.3 million matches performed throughout 7.8 million hours” – double that of the FPS recreation’s second hottest mode, Overwatch Basic.

Stadium’s most “winningest” Overwatch 2 character is, oddly sufficient, Lucio, who additionally occurs to be the mode’s least-picked character. In a sea of Mercys and Moiras, decide Lucio, of us. However, coming into Season 17 and past, the Brazilian bass dropper may see his reign slip, as varied new heroes are set to enter the fray.

Season 17, slated for June, provides Junkrat, Sigma, and Zenyatta to the pool, with Season 18 including Brigitte, Sojourn, and Winston in August, in addition to the brand new, water-based hero presently codenamed ‘Aqua.’ Additional down the road, we’ll see new heroes added each season – I am holding out for Sombra, my OTP, or Widowmaker, as a result of some heads simply have to be popped.

There are numerous new locales on the playing cards, too, with Esperanca (Push map) and Samoa (Management map) dropping in Season 17, London and Route 66 in Season 18, and China in Season 19. Notably, Season 18 additionally provides “Payload Race,” a brand-new Stadium mode that has its personal two distinctive maps.

Along with all of this, crossplay, customized video games, and construct saving and sharing options will likely be added in Season 17, with new all-star rewards and the Stadium Trials characteristic dropping in August, then Season 19 provides draft mode with the intention to lock in the very best comp for the job.

There’s so much within the pipeline, then, and truthfully, it is thrilling. As somebody who’s fallen out and in of affection with Overwatch for the reason that sequel’s launch, this actually does really feel like a game-changer. Forward of Stadium’s launch, recreation director Aaron Keller advised me the staff needed to “take massive dangers,” and do issues in a different way, and to this point, it is working.

Should you’re planning on taking Stadium for a spin, try our checklist of the very best Overwatch 2 Stadium help builds, in addition to the very best Overwatch 2 Stadium DPS builds that will help you take down the enemy staff in model.

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