Skip to main content

‘Overwatch’ two-year anniversary event featuring new map is now live

Overwatch
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Blizzard’s Overwatch is celebrating its two-year anniversary this month, and since the shooter is still going strong, the studio is celebrating with a number of new goodies. These include a brand-new map and a free weekend for those who still haven’t tried it.

Recommended Videos

The two-year anniversary celebration kicked off May 22 with the new deathmatch map “Petra,” which is now live. Along with the location, you can play a deathmatch in Competitive mode, just like you do with the Escort and Control maps that originally released with the game.

The event, which runs until June 11, introduces “more than 50 new items,” according to a press release, including 8 Legendary skins and new dances for Doomfist, Moira, and Brigitte. Favorite seasonal items from the first anniversary event will also return, and past seasonal brawls will be rotated on a daily basis. If you want to lose in a round of Mei’s Snowball Offensive, hit us up.

Those who login to Overwatch during the event will also receive a special Legendary Anniversary loot box, and items previously available only as seasonal loot will be available, as well.

If you haven’t played Overwatch yet, the game is running a free weekend, May 25-28, across PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, and those on Xbox and PlayStation won’t need Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus to participate. You’ll have access to all heroes and maps, as well as most modes — Competitive play won’t be available until you buy the game, but any progress you make in your ranks will be kept if you decide to buy the full game.

For those who decide they want to keep playing Overwatch after the free weekend ends, you can purchase the game at a discounted rate until June 5. On PS4, Xbox One, and PC, you can buy a digital copy of the game for $20. If you’re really digging it, though, you may want to check out the newly launched Legendary edition for $40, which includes epic/legendary skins and the original skins that launched with the Origins edition in 2016. As a heads up, the Legendary edition includes 15 additional skins, so the $20 price difference may not be worth it.

Updated on May 22: Revised to reflect event is live and added sale details.

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
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
Why Overwatch 2’s show-stealing new hero took an extra four years to debut
Mauga poses in Overwatch 2.

With the switch to 5v5, Tanks became a make-or-break part of any Overwatch 2 team. While Support and Damage players can rely on another player of their class to pick up their slack when they struggle, tanks no longer have that privilege. As a more casual Overwatch 2 player who’s not competitively viable, this has discouraged me from playing as a tank. While I do like the abilities of characters like Junker Queen, I’m hesitant to play as them because I’m worried about being the player that causes my team to lose. Mauga, the latest Overwatch 2 hero, looks to change that, but it took years of ideas and concept reboots on Blizzard’s end.

Unveiled at BlizzCon 2023, Mauga is an aggressive Samoan tank allied with Talon that can tear through enemies with his two chainguns and dash that makes him invincible. That makes him enjoyable for those who like more offensive Heroes, but Support fans will find some stuff to love with abilities that can heal other players or give them infinite ammo. I had the chance to play Mauga at BlizzCon 2023, and for the first time since Overwatch 2 was released, I’m eager to go back and play as a Tank.

Read more
Overwatch 2’s newest hero Lifeweaver is a game-changer for support players
overwatch 2s new hero lifeweaver 2

Overwatch 2's next hero has officially been announced: The support-class hero Lifeweaver will debut in season 4 of the free-to-play shooter in mid-April. Lifeweaver will be the 37th hero on Overwatch 2’s roster, and the ninth support hero following Kiriko's release when the game launched in the fall of 2023.

Blizzard has yet to release specific details on Lifeweaver's abilities or backstory, but players can catch a glimpse of the hero's playstyle in a short gameplay trailer released today.

Read more