Blizzard’s hero shooter Overwatch 2 has recorded its strongest player surge on Steam since arriving on the platform, driven by strong anticipation for a major content overhaul scheduled for February.
The spike in activity follows a showcase for the game’s new seasonal initiative, Reign of Talon, which signals a broader rebranding effort to revitalise interest in the long-running franchise.
Fresh start and a symbolic rebrand
Originally released in 2016 as Overwatch, the game was relaunched as a free-to-play sequel under Activision. However, the cancellation of its planned PvE story mode drew heavy criticism from fans and contributed to declining engagement.
In its latest move, Blizzard has dropped the “2” from its branding in many promotional materials and is repositioning the game around a year-long narrative and content roadmap. The Reign of Talon initiative will expand the universe through comics, animated shorts and short stories alongside in-game updates.
Season 1 launches on February 10, 2026, introducing five new playable heroes. The standout addition is a support character named Fika, a jetpack-equipped cat that has already gone viral after being revived from early concept art.
Content push drives renewed momentum
Beyond new heroes, Blizzard has been experimenting with gameplay changes, including the recently introduced third-person Stadium mode, which has been positively received by players. Earlier hero additions, such as Sojourn, Mauga, and Juno, have also helped stabilise the roster.
The volume of upcoming content has pushed Overwatch’s Steam player interest above major shooters including Call of Duty and Battlefield 6 in recent charts—even before the new season has gone live.
The surge is particularly notable because Steam is not the game’s primary platform. Most PC players still access Overwatch through Battle.net, and the title maintains substantial audiences on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Reputation challenges remain
Despite the renewed interest, the game continues to face reputational headwinds on Steam, where its overall user rating remains “Mostly Negative.” Many reviews reflect long-standing frustration over cancelled features, monetisation concerns and past corporate controversies rather than current gameplay.
Industry observers note that rebuilding trust may take time, even as player numbers begin to recover.
A new era for Blizzard
Developer Blizzard Entertainment is now operating within the broader Microsoft gaming organisation, following structural changes and leadership transitions. The company is currently led by Johanna Faries, and internal sentiment is reported to be improving after several turbulent years.
With Blizzard approaching its 25th anniversary and a major content roadmap underway, the upcoming season will be a key test of whether the franchise can sustain its renewed momentum.
If early player interest is any indication, Overwatch’s latest reinvention may be giving the veteran shooter its strongest second wind in years.
