Overwatch 2recently concluded its highly anticipated February Spotlight event. Although groundbreaking PvP changes, new hero reveals, and cosmetics were already confirmed, Blizzard also unveiled a host of new features slated forOverwatch 2Season 15and beyond. Alongside a new damage hero, Freja, and another character currently code-named Aqua, there’s a lot of exciting content to look forward to.
Although some were disappointed by the absence of PvE during theOverwatch 2Spotlight livestream, there is still over half an hour of content to break down. One of the most significant announcements is the new game mode, Stadium, which adheres to a best-of-seven-round system. However, as enticing as this sounds, its option for a third-person camera perspective does draw comparisons to another prominent hero-shooter:Marvel Rivals.
Overwatch 2 Poised to Become a Jack of All Trades
Overwatch 2’s Stadium Mode Delivers Groundbreaking PvP Changes
Expected to arrive in Season 16, alongside the cross-bow-wielding DPS hero Freja, hero bans, and a Dokiwatch seasonal theme,Overwatch 2’s Stadium modeis making headlines for a number of reasons. First, it’s a 5v5 mode with a ranked system that allows players to climb the competitive ladder. Described as a game mode that’s “packed with transformative powers and strategic encounters that enhance the hero fantasy,” its purchasable perks also play a major part in the growing attention. With a highly innovative build system, some players may opt to play as a glass canon Lucio, with an emphasis on strong offensive abilities, and others may decide to play a highly mobile version of Reinhardt, with a cool-down reduction on charge and shield barrier that grants 30% Movement Speed.
Early development gameplay fromOverwatch 2Spotlight creatorsshows that each hero will start with 3000 currency, though more can be earned throughout the match to customize their hero kits. This buying mechanic can be likened to the ones in games likeDeadlock,Counter-Strike 2, andValorant. Currency points are earned based on individual and team performance, but players can only purchase abilities and perks at the start of each round, encouraging strategic planning. Options vary and may change depending on the meta and the player’s individual preferences, but some of the most notable include increased damage output, armor, life steal, and shortened cooldowns.
Players can sell perks between rounds to regain currency.
Overwatch 2 Introduces a Third-Person Perspective
Interestingly, Stadium mode will arrive with the option to choose between either a first-person perspective or a brand new third-person perspective. While the former is bound to be the most familiar toOverwatchplayers, there are plenty of popular shooters that embrace the third-person point-of-view.Marvel Rivalsstands out as a third-person shooter, and its community has already found ways to use the camera angle to their advantage on the battlefield. Not only does it benefit those who may like to better see their skins and cosmetics, but certain positioning can also provide a view of the environment without alerting enemies when in the third person.
“Stadium will arrive with the option to choose between either a first-person perspective or a third-person perspective.”
It is worth noting that this upcoming feature could make the game feel quite similar toMarvel Rivals, which is one ofOverwatch 2’s largest competitors. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a negative aspect, as players can switch back to first-person; it simply adds more variety and customization to suit each player’s preferences. In this manner,Overwatch 2’s strategy in 2025seems to be adopting a jack-of-all-trades approach, offering purchasable perks similar to the skill trees shown in the old PvE missions, fresh player perspectives, and revamped maps. Ultimately, Blizzard’s ambitious move does raise the question of whetherMarvel Rivalswill eventually answer back with a first-person option of its own.
