Blizzard has confirmed that 6v6 in Overwatch 2 is a possibility, but players may have to compromise on queue time.
Overwatch 2 may have seemed like a minor upgrade from its predecessor, but it had a profound impact.
The shift from 6v6 to 5v5 lobbies introduced a significant strategic change while also cutting queue times. Team composition was encouraged through role assignments, discouraging players from filling all five slots with Damage heroes.
However, old-timers have been persistently urging the developer to revert to the 6v6 format as they have struggled to adapt to the 5v5 format.
In a new “Director’s Take” blog, Aron Keller has confirmed that Blizzard has been considering adding 6v6 in Overwatch 2 due to popular demand. However, potential tradeoffs are causing the delay.
6v6 in Overwatch 2 is a possibility but with a catch
Keller has revealed plans to eventually reintroduce 6v6 in Overwatch 2 through in-game tests and mode. These tests will be aimed at ensuring an “optimized technical performance” for a 12-person lobby.
With the introduction of 5v5 gameplay, players experienced a significant reduction in queue times.
This was attributed to the adjustments made to team composition, which decreased the necessity for two tanks in a single game – a role that players tended to avoid in the original version of Overwatch. According to Keller, the reintroduction of 6v6 gameplay may bring back this issue.
“Is there a world where people are willing to live with long queue times to play [6v6] format? Maybe, but that’s a pretty risky move to make,” Keller said.
Rest assured, the developer has plans to tackle the potential queue time trade-off to accommodate 6v6 in the current Overwatch 2 framework.
When is 6v6 coming back to Overwatch 2?
Tests to down the groundwork for the 6v6 format begin in Season 13, but the actual mode may take “several seasons,” according to the developer.
The first limitation to a 6v6 format is role compositions. To tackle that, Blizzard is introducing some twists to the upcoming Quick Play: Hacked mode. In this mode, the developer will test a team composition that is not “quite as rigid as a set composition, but not as loose as an open queue.”
This means, players may be able to pick their roles freely, but with certain limitations.
If it’s a success, Blizzard may finally figure out a way to introduce 6v6 in Overwatch 2 without extending queue time.
READ MORE: Overwatch Quickplay Hacked guide: All passives, best hero combos
