Are the Overwatch 1 Servers Shutting Down?
Quick answer
This page answers Are the overwatch 1 servers shutting down? quickly.
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
▶
Quick answer
This page answers Are the overwatch 1 servers shutting down? quickly.
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
▶
The Overwatch 1 servers have been officially shut down, marking the end of an era for the original game, which was released in 2016 and was a groundbreaking team-based shooter. As of October 3, 2022, the Overwatch 1 servers are no longer available, and players can no longer access the game through the official Blizzard game launcher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Information
- Is Overwatch 1 gone for good? Yes, the game is no longer playable, and its servers have been shut down to make way for Overwatch 2.
- Can I still buy Overwatch 1? Although Overwatch 1 is still available for purchase from some online and physical stores, it is not playable, and buying it would be pointless since it automatically transforms into Overwatch 2 upon installation.
- Is it legal for Blizzard to shut down Overwatch 1? Yes, Blizzard has the right to shut down the servers, as it is their intellectual property and they can decide how to manage it.
- What happens to my Overwatch 1 account? If you own Overwatch 1, you can still play Overwatch 2 and access new PvP maps and heroes, but you will need to purchase the game to access PvE content.
- Can banned Overwatch 1 accounts play Overwatch 2? No, if your Overwatch 1 account was banned, you will not be able to purchase or play Overwatch 2.
- How much did Overwatch 1 cost? The original price of Overwatch was around $40, but it was later reduced to $19.99 for the standard edition and $29.99 for the Legendary Edition.
- Is Overwatch 3 confirmed? There has been no official confirmation from Blizzard about Overwatch 3, and the latest information available is about Overwatch 2.
- Will Overwatch 1 servers come back? No, the Overwatch 1 servers will not be coming back, and the game is officially dead.
- When did Overwatch 1 shut down? The Overwatch 1 servers shut down on October 3, 2022, at 9am PDT / 12pm EDT / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST.
- Is anyone still playing Overwatch 1? No, it is not possible to play Overwatch 1 anymore, as the servers have been shut down, and the game is no longer available.
- Why is Overwatch 2 free? According to Blizzard, Overwatch 2 is free-to-play to lower the barrier of entry for new players and to make the game more accessible to a wider audience.
- Did Overwatch 1 make money? Yes, Overwatch 1 was a commercial success and generated over $1 billion in revenue during its first year and had more than 50 million players after three years.
- Will Overwatch 2 be free? Yes, Overwatch 2 is a free-to-play game, and players can download and play it without paying any upfront costs.
- Why did Blizzard get rid of Overwatch 1? Blizzard shut down Overwatch 1 to focus on Overwatch 2 and to monetize the old content in the new game.
- What is the biggest change between Overwatch 1 and 2? The biggest change is the reduction of team compositions from 6v6 to 5v5, which significantly affects the gameplay and strategy.