How can I play original Overwatch?

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Unfortunately, you can no longer play the original Overwatch as Blizzard shut down its servers on October 3, 2022, to prepare for the launch of Overwatch 2, and the game is no longer available for play. The original game was replaced by Overwatch 2, which is a free-to-play shooter featuring 30+ epic heroes, each with game-changing abilities.

Overview of Original Overwatch

The original Overwatch was released on May 24, 2016, for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and a version for Nintendo Switch was released on October 15, 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. Is Overwatch 1 still available? No, Overwatch 1 is no longer available, as Blizzard shut down its servers on October 3, 2022.
2. Is Overwatch 1 gone forever? Yes, Overwatch 1 is gone forever, as Blizzard has replaced it with Overwatch 2.
3. Is Overwatch 1 free? No, Overwatch 1 was not free-to-play, but Overwatch 2 is free-to-play.

Overwatch 2

4. Is Overwatch 2 free? Yes, Overwatch 2 is free-to-play, with all cosmetic items from Overwatch 1 carried over, and it introduces new heroes, maps, and game modes.
5. What happens if you already owned Overwatch 1? Overwatch 1 players have access to all the skins, voice lines, and other cosmetics they unlocked in the original game, and they also get access to the new Support hero Kiriko immediately.

Gameplay and Servers

6. Can you still play Overwatch 1 offline? No, you cannot play Overwatch 1 offline, as the game assets are server-side, not client-side.
7. Why did Blizzard get rid of Overwatch 1? Blizzard got rid of Overwatch 1 to monetize old content and to make way for Overwatch 2.

Cost and Purchase

8. How much did Overwatch 1 cost? Overwatch for PC included 29 heroes, 26 different maps, and endless fun for just $19.99.
9. Is Overwatch still cost money? No, Overwatch 2 is free-to-play, but you can buy the premium Season 1 Battle Pass to get immediate access to new heroes and cosmetics.

Player Benefits

10. What do OG Overwatch players get? OG Overwatch players can gain access to the exclusive Overwatch 2 Founder’s Pack, unlocking epic skins and new heroes.
11. Do original Overwatch owners get anything? Yes, original Overwatch owners who owned the game prior to June 23, 2022, received the Founder’s Pack.

Comparison and Reviews

12. Is Overwatch 1 better than 2? While Overwatch 2 makes some excellent quality-of-life improvements, there are some clear areas where the original game had an edge.
13. What is the player count for Overwatch 1? Since its launch in early October 2022, Overwatch 2 has held on to a monthly average player count of 23.5 million.

Availability and Replacement

14. Is Overwatch 1 for sale? No, Overwatch 1 is no longer on sale, as it was replaced by Overwatch 2.
15. Is Overwatch 3 confirmed? There is no official confirmation from Blizzard about Overwatch 3, but the company has confirmed that Overwatch 2 is the next installment in the series.