Overwatch 2 will see the return of the Overwatch World Cup in 2023, Blizzard declares. The key worldwide competitors for the FPS sport has been absent for the previous three years, with Overwatch League execs carrying the cardboard for the esports scene. Now, as soccer followers worldwide put together for the FIFA World Cup Ultimate between Argentina and France, Overwatch 2 is getting ready to carry collectively 36 nationwide groups to compete for its trophy.
The Overwatch World Cup 2023 is deliberate to start out in June 2023, with regional qualifiers happening to find out the highest 16 groups that may compete within the Group Stage and Finals in autumn 2023. Blizzard says that it’ll announce the competing nations and areas in January, at which era it’s going to additionally open purposes for every competitors fee that can be liable for tryouts and workforce choice.
Whereas it might sound doubtless that these spots can be dominated by Overwatch League and Overwatch Contenders execs, Blizzard is internet hosting an open event in February referred to as the World Cup Trials that may internet the profitable gamers a assured spot in tryouts for his or her workforce. Those that fall quick will be capable to join from March – Blizzard says that you simply’ll should be no less than Diamond rank in Overwatch 2 aggressive play, though we suspect the profitable entrants will come from greater up the ladder. It’s all the time beautiful to see an underdog story, although!
Together with attending to see the world’s greatest Overwatch 2 gamers in motion, followers can even get numerous in-game Overwatch 2 challenges and rewards to have fun the event because it progresses. Hopefully we’ll additionally get our palms on workforce skins as properly!
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see which nations star within the event – South Korea is prone to be a favorite, having held a vice grip on the trophy for its first three years, however they’ll have to beat reigning Overwatch World Cup champions america, who defeated South Korea within the 2019 semi-finals earlier than securing the trophy in opposition to China.
The Chinese language Overwatch 2 scene has solely continued to flourish since then, so they need to even be thought-about severe contenders – though the current expiration of a Blizzard China take care of Netease has thrown the scene into turmoil. There’s additionally prone to be some notable competitors from the likes of France, Sweden, Canada, and Denmark, and naturally the UK will doubtless be there in pressure, hoping for a greater exhibiting than their disappointing 2019 efficiency.
As Overwatch 2 season 2 continues, the primary notable Overwatch 2 patch notes of season 2 are right here, with Blizzard teasing a “tender rework” for Roadhog alongside nerfs for Doomfist and buffs to newcomer Ramattra’s talents. We’ve additionally received a information to all of the Overwatch 2 Winter Wonderland skins on supply in 2022, so you possibly can have fun the season in model.