With Overwatch 2 just around the corner, specifically the 4th of October, players may be wondering when exactly they will have to say goodbye to Overwatch 1. Here’s everything you need to know about the replacement of Overwatch 2 over the original, when servers are down and up, and what you will need to prepare for with its launch.
When does Overwatch 1 shut down?
Overwatch’s servers will shut down on the 3rd of October at 9am PDT. Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed that this is due to the servers having to be down for 24 hours to replace Overwatch with Overwatch 2. Overwatch 2 will launch on the 4th of October at the intended time of 12pm PDT.
This means that the 2nd of October will be your last full day to play the original Overwatch.
How to prepare for Overwatch 2’s launch
Now that you have the timings all jotted down or in your head, there are a few things you should know when preparing for Overwatch 2’s launch. There have been a number of change ups with Overwatch 2 that pre-existing fans will have to get accustomed to such as it being a free-to-play Overwatch experience and accepting the requirement of a mobile phone number to set up an account for additional player account protection.
Both existing Overwatch players and buyers of the Watchpoint Pack will be able to pre-install Overwatch 2, but times vary depending on the platform. For PC players, this will become available at 1:30pm PDT on the 30th of September. Console players will have to wait a bit longer to do this however for the day of its release date of 4th of October and around the time of 9am PDT instead.
Additionally, players should ensure to merge their accounts due to the cross-progression feature. This allows a player’s account to carry progression and in-game cosmetics into Overwatch 2 without losing anything. Players who have only a single account do not have to worry about this step.
For every single player who logs in during Season One, they will receive the heroes Junker Queen and Sojourn just for playing. Players who own the original Overwatch will also receive Kiriko through their Founder’s Pack. This can be claimed by logging in at any point before the end of Season Two.
That’s all we have for you about the shutting down of Overwatch 1.
