The prospect of Overwatch on mobile has long been considered a distant dream, particularly after revelations from Jason Schreier's book on Blizzard indicated that a mobile version had been shelved. However, a new agreement between Korean developer Nexon and Blizzard could reignite those hopes.
The primary focus of this deal is the acquisition of publishing and development rights for a new entry in the renowned StarCraft real-time strategy franchise. The competition for these rights was intense, with companies like Krafton and Netmarble also in the running. Should this deal be finalized, Nexon will spearhead the future of the StarCraft series.
Yet, what's truly stirring the pot is the news that the bidding also encompassed the publishing rights for Overwatch on mobile. This development not only hints that the mobile version is far from dead but also suggests it might come in the form of an official sequel, specifically a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA).
This isn't the first time Overwatch has ventured into the MOBA genre; fans might recall Heroes of the Storm, which Blizzard once heavily promoted. There's a possibility that Heroes of the Storm could make its way to mobile devices, potentially aligning with the reported Overwatch MOBA.
Alternatively, a standalone spin-off could be in the works. However, the notion of this being an 'Overwatch 3' can be dismissed outright, as such a shift would represent a significant departure from the franchise's traditional focus on console and PC platforms.
Embracing its MOBA roots could prove advantageous for Overwatch, especially with new competitors like Marvel Rivals on the horizon, threatening to overshadow its once-dominant presence. It might be time for Blizzard and their publishing partners to take bold steps to revitalize this iconic franchise.
