The long-awaited game launches in early access in October. | Image: Blizzard

Overwatch 2, the sequel to Activision Blizzard’s hit hero shooter Overwatch, is finally launching in October after first being announced in 2019. One major change is the shift to five-on-five matches in PVP, and Blizzard is also adding new characters, including Overwatch’s first Black female hero. The PVP multiplayer will be available in early access on October 4th and will be free to play. The PVE portion will be released at a later date.

Catch up on The Verge’s coverage of the game right here.

Marvel Rivals takes a page from Rocket League (and Overwatch). For a limited time, Overwatch returns to its roots. Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends follow Fortnite by going back to the beginning. Overwatch 2 opens the door to a return for 6v6 Overwatch 2 targets console cheaters using XIM, ReaSnow, and Cronus devices. April Fools’ 2024: Overwatch 2 “Really, really balanced.” Overwatch 2 unlocks all of its heroes Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends hit the reset button. Competitive Overwatch won’t end with the League Blizzard says it’s building ‘revitalized’ Overwatch esports after OWL season ends Overwatch 2 needs a win — the Invasion event, at best, is a draw Illari illuminates the battlefield as Overwatch 2’s newest support hero. Fighting evil by moonlight, eating bread by daylight. And his name is JOHN CENA! *do do-do doooo* Overwatch 2’s newest cinematic is the next big step in the game’s journey Overwatch 2’s new story missions will be paywalled Overwatch 2 celebrates its first in-game Pride event Overwatch 2’s director explains why its big PvE mode was canceled Overwatch 2’s ambitious hero mode scrapped to focus on live game The weaver is live. Overwatch 2 season 4 trailer got me right in the feels Overwatch 2’s new hero Lifeweaver puts down roots in season 4 April Fools’ 2023: Overwatch 2. Overwatch 2’s season 3 changes make Mercy weaker Introducing the Overwatch 2 dating sim Overwatch 2 is making it easier and cheaper for you to get older skins Overwatch 2’s Battle For Olympus event is a step in the right direction Blizzard offers Overwatch 2 holiday skin for cheap amid pricing controversy The Overwatch League World Cup is back Don’t you forget about me. Ramattra will be easier to earn in the Overwatch 2 battle pass Overwatch 2’s Season 2 is a battle for Olympus The “Zeus” skin for Junker Queen is the star of the Overwatch 2, season two trailer. Mei day: Overwatch 2 frees controversial hero Overwatch 2’s newest hero is the scary but sexy Ramattra Overwatch 2 is putting Mei… *on ice* Bastion and Torbjörn have been temporarily removed from Overwatch 2 Blizzard will be taking Overwatch 2 offline again Overwatch 2’s new animated short is a new introduction to Kiriko Blizzard is taking Overwatch 2 offline to make some fixes Overwatch 2 is less of a sequel and more of a remix Blizzard reveals a suite of Overwatch 2 tools to fight cheaters and toxic players Overwatch 2 loses lead hero designer just before sequel launches October 2nd is Overwatch’s last day on earth Overwatch 2 developers explain the new battle pass Overwatch 2’s new heroes won’t be free Overwatch 2 players can now merge accounts to get their old gear Overwatch 2 will replace the original Overwatch Everything we know about Overwatch 2 Overwatch 2 will get rid of loot boxes Overwatch 2’s next beta kicks off at the end of June, and it’s coming to PlayStation and Xbox Overwatch 2 will be free to play and has an early access release date As the Overwatch 2 beta ends, a new Overwatch remix event begins Blizzard is hoping Overwatch 2 leads to a superb OWL season 5 How to get into the Overwatch 2 beta Overwatch 2’s new hero Sojourn was a long time coming The Overwatch 2 closed beta starts April 26th on PC only The Overwatch 2 closed beta will finally let you play as a Black woman Overwatch 2 and Diablo IV delayed again with no release date in sight Blizzard shows off Overwatch 2’s new 5 vs. 5 multiplayer and a trio of maps Diablo IV and Overwatch 2 aren’t launching this year