Overwatch 2 Re-Launches in China

Summary

• Overwatch 2 will return to China on February 19 after a two-year absence, with a technical test on January 8.
• Chinese players have missed 12 seasons.
• The first live Overwatch Championship Series event in 2025 will take place in Hangzhou to celebrate the game's triumphant return to China.

Overwatch 2 is set to make a highly anticipated return to China on February 19, following a two-year hiatus. A technical test will be available for eager fans starting January 8, allowing them to dive back into the action and catch up on the 12 seasons they missed, including new heroes, game modes, and features.

The absence of Overwatch 2 in China began on January 24, 2023, when the partnership between Blizzard and NetEase ended, leading to the unavailability of nearly all Blizzard games in the region. However, in April 2024, the two companies reconciled and started the process of bringing Blizzard's titles back to China, a country with a vast gaming community.

In a video shared by Walter Kong, the global general manager of the Overwatch franchise, Blizzard confirmed that Overwatch 2 would return to China on February 19, coinciding with the start of Season 15. Before the official relaunch, an open technical test will run from January 8 through 15, giving Chinese players a chance to explore all 42 heroes, including the new tank, Hazard, from Season 14, and the classic 6v6 game mode.

Overwatch 2 Returns to China on February 19

Adding to the excitement, Overwatch esports will also make a strong comeback in 2025 with the Overwatch Championship Series, featuring a dedicated China region. The first live event of this series in 2025 will be held in Hangzhou, marking the game's triumphant return to China.

To understand the extent of what Chinese players missed, it's important to note that their servers were shut down during Season 2, with Ramattra being the newest hero at that time. Since then, six new heroes have been added: Lifeweaver, Illari, Mauga, Venture, Juno, and Hazard. Additionally, new game modes like Flashpoint and Clash, maps such as Antarctic Peninsula, Samoa, and Runasapi, and the Invasion story missions have been introduced, along with numerous hero reworks and balance adjustments.

Unfortunately, the 2025 Lunar New Year event in Overwatch 2 is scheduled to end just before the game's return to China, potentially causing Chinese players to miss out on the event's new skins and the Prop Hunt game mode. It's hoped that Overwatch 2 will organize a delayed version of the event so that Chinese fans can celebrate their new year in-game and enjoy their return to Future Earth.