Overwatch 2 Extends 6v6 Playtest

Summary

• Overwatch 2's 6v6 playtest has been extended due to high player interest.
• The role queue mode will transition to an open queue format with 1-3 heroes of each class sometime around the middle of the season.
• The 6v6 mode could become a permanent addition in the future.

The limited-time 6v6 game mode playtest in Overwatch 2 has been extended beyond its original end date of January 6. Game Director Aaron Keller announced that the mode will continue to be available until the middle of the current season, after which it will transition into an open queue format. This decision comes in response to the overwhelming popularity of the 6v6 format since its reintroduction to Overwatch 2, fueling hope among fans that it might become a permanent fixture in the game.

The 6v6 mode first reappeared in Overwatch 2 during the Overwatch Classic event in November of last year. Its initial run was brief, but it quickly became one of the most popular modes in the game. Following its success, Blizzard brought back the 6v6 mode at the start of the game's 14th season, with the second playtest originally scheduled to run from December 17 to January 6. Unlike the Overwatch Classic event, this playtest did not feature the return of some classic hero abilities.

Due to the sustained high interest from players, Aaron Keller took to his personal Twitter account to announce the extension of the 6v6 mode's second playtest. Players can continue to enjoy 12-player matches for an extended period, though the exact end date of the playtest remains unspecified. The mode will soon be moved to the Arcade section and will remain in its current form until the middle of the season, at which point it will shift from a role queue to an open queue format, allowing teams to have between one and three heroes of each class.

The Case for Overwatch 2's 6v6 Mode to Return Permanently

The enduring popularity of Overwatch 2's 6v6 mode is not surprising to many players. Since the game's launch in 2022, the return of 6-player teams has been one of the most frequently requested features. The shift to 5v5 matches was a significant change from the original Overwatch, impacting gameplay in ways that have divided the player base.

However, the current success of the 6v6 mode has given fans renewed hope that it could become a permanent addition to Overwatch 2. Many are optimistic that it might eventually find a place in the game's competitive playlist, a possibility that could be realized once the mode's playtests are complete.