Blizzard reintroduces the 6v6 mode in Season 14 of Overwatch 2.
After careful consideration, Blizzard has decided to reintroduce the 6v6 format in Overwatch 2, although it will initially only be available in some test modes.
Blizzard Entertainment has decided to reintroduce 6v6 matches in Overwatch 2, after controversially removing them in the new installment of the game. This measure will be temporary and implemented for testing purposes. In a statement, the development team announced that two 6v6 tests will take place during the upcoming season 14, which begins on December 10.
The first test will be conducted one week after the season starts and will include a new Open Queue scenario, where players will have the flexibility to switch heroes during the match, as long as they meet the requirement of occupying at least one of the roles without exceeding the limit of three heroes per team. This means that a player could not select Genji if their team already has three damage heroes.
The second test is scheduled for mid-season and will return to the 2-2-2 composition, meaning two damage heroes, two tanks, and two support heroes per team. However, this time changes from Overwatch 2 will be integrated, the nature of which has not been specified, although a reduction in crowd control was mentioned.
The aim of these tests is to assess player interest in larger teams and experiment with different approaches to implement changes without repeating previous issues. Since its launch, Overwatch has been characterized by its 6v6 format, but this structure created difficulties in team composition and hero balance. The introduction of role limits resulted in longer wait times and unbalanced gameplay situations, leading Blizzard to opt for a 5v5 format in Overwatch 2, which has not been well received by all players.
The developers hope to analyze the results of these tests alongside other tests already conducted in season 13, which also explore the 5v5 model, to define the future of the game. The statement questioned whether it is viable to have both formats, 5v5 and 6v6, permanently in Overwatch 2, acknowledging that players may desire diverse experiences.