Skip to main content

'Overwatch' will get three new maps this year, plus 'nonstandard' locations

Overwatch has received a wealth of post-release content since it launched last May, including additional characters like Ana and Orisa as well as the maps Oasis and Eichenwalde. Game director Jeff Kaplan recently let slip new information on planned maps for the game, and it appears that players will have plenty of new locations to try out before the end of 2017.

Writing on the game’s official forums, Kaplan revealed that Blizzard currently has three maps that are not only in development, but have made it “past the initial playtesting phase.” These are “standard” maps meant to be mixed into the traditional quick-play and competitive mode rotation.

Recommended Videos

“While something could always change, all three of those are looking likely for a release this year,” Kaplan added.

Three other “nonstandard” maps are in the works, though Kaplan didn’t elaborate on exactly what that meant. We’ve seen one of these thus far — the map “Ecopoint: Antarctica” — which has been used for one-on-one fights as well as some seasonal events. The “Estádio das Rãs” field used during the summer Olympics may also count as a “nonstandard” map to Blizzard. We’re certainly hoping the studio decides to bring its “Lúcioball” game back as a permanent fixture, or at least as a reoccurring mode during the summer.

Kaplan also said that his team has “a few other experiments going on.” This could mean we’ll be getting more player-versus-environment modes in the future, which have thus far been limited to events like Junkenstein’s Revenge at Halloween and the recent “Uprising,” which takes place seven years before the events of Overwatch. The latter is only available until May 1, and sees new agent Tracer working to stop an Omnic uprising on the multiplayer map “King’s Row.” Other playable characters include Torbjörn, Reinhardt, and Mercy, and skins are also available for Genji, Widowmaker, Bastion, Orisa, and McCree.

Gabe Gurwin
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
Overwatch 2 might fix its most controversial feature
Mauga, a large Samoan man with tattoos on his shoulders and chest, smiles in Overwatch 2.

Blizzard Entertainment might test out a 6v6 format after removing it ahead of Overwatch 2's launch, although nothing is set in stone just yet.

In an approximately 3,600-word blog post posted Thursday, Overwatch 2 game director Aaron Keller said that the team is looking into "running a series of events" to test new "composition formats," specifically 6v6, based on player feedback.

Read more
Overwatch 2 is collaborating with Transformers, and it looks radical
overwatch 2 transfomers crossover teaser transformers reinhardt

Overwatch 2 x Transformers Collaboration Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games

The long-awaited Transformers and Overwatch 2 collaboration is almost here. Blizzard Entertainment released a cinematic trailer on Monday teasing the crossover and introducing new skins.

Read more
Overwatch 2’s packed Season 11 update brings new map, legendary skins
Mercy in her rose gold outfit. Her hair is strawberry blonde with pink tips and her outfit is different shades of pink.

Blizzard is celebrating 100 million players in Overwatch 2 by bringing back a fan-favorite skin, along with a new map and other changes for its 11th season that launches on June 20.

In an announcement Monday, the studio revealed that the theme of Season 11 will be Super Mega Ultrawatch, where players can unlock superhero-themed Legendary Ultrawatch skins and go up against the evil and magical Mythic Calamity Empress Ashe and B.O.B. These skins for Genji, Repaer, and Sojourn will be available in the Season 11 premium battle pass.

Read more