Overwatch’s fall from grace has been nothing short of a historical spectacle, with one wrong decision after another pushing the franchise further into the ground. But Blizzard now finally has a chance to breathe some new life into it, all thanks to the mobile gaming market.
But as is the case with any game on Android and iOS, ABK must tread forth rather carefully, especially considering how Valorant’s rumored release is also seemingly right around the corner, all while overcoming the most significant risk of all: Stumbling into the same abyss that claimed Apex Legends Mobile.
We all know the drill with these platforms—here, keeping things simple is not just a preference; it’s a straight-up necessity. After all, any high-end game that truly wishes to succeed must be easy enough to get into.
For instance, consider the runaway success of PUBG Mobile, which far surpassed its console and PC versions mainly because it was easy to pick up and play while keeping mastery of its technical elements for the high-level competitive end.
Now, if all the leaks and rumors are to be believed, Valorant will most likely follow a similar strategy, simplifying its control scheme to attract a more casual audience while keeping the game’s tactical gameplay loop largely intact and unchanged.
Keeping all that in mind, let’s circle back to Overwatch’s mobile port. As Jason Schreier revealed in his newest book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future Of Blizzard Entertainment, the title is indeed quite far into development and could be upon us at any time in the near future.
However, Overwatch isn’t a simple game by any stretch of the word. So, unless Blizzard focuses on accessibility and streamlined gameplay, it runs a high risk of repeating the mistakes of Apex Legends Mobile.
The problem with that game, you see, was that it tried to cram in too many of its intricacies into a mobile format, all in the name of keeping the same level of depth as its PC and console counterparts.
However, the game simply overwhelmed the users and couldn’t hold onto the casual players’ attention, ultimately shutting down only after a year in operation.
When you consider it, Blizzard simply can’t afford such a misstep with Overwatch at this point, as this project represents more than just a regular new venture; it’s a potential lifeline for the team’s biggest IPs.
It’s a well-documented case at this point that the last few years haven’t been kind to overwatch. Its esports scene, once vibrant and brimming with potential, has all but withered and vanished.
The release of Overwatch 2, which was meant to be the true savior for the IP, soon turned into a complete catastrophe. It canceled its highly anticipated PvE mode, excessively streamlined its content pipeline, and, of course, implemented egregious monetization that made the first game’s shop look like borderline charity.
These days, while a comparatively small but passionate and frustrated player base continues to remain across different platforms, it’s clear the franchise is far from the titan it once was.
Considering all this, it’s pretty easy to see how the mobile market presents a crucial opportunity to regain relevance and rebuild ABK’s revenue stream from the franchise.
So, yes, the pressure is, to put charitably, rather immense on Blizzard at this point, as any more mishandling of this franchise, or even a misstep on the mobile port’s side—making it too complicated audience—could be the final nail in the coffin for a franchise teetering on the edge. For our money, we hope such a possibility doesn’t become a reality.
But what all that said, what’s your take on Overwatch making the leap to mobile? Does it stand a chance against Valorant and other giants in the space? Let us know in the comments below!
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