Blizzard's Overwatch 2 Mobile Project Sparks Fan Backlash

Overwatch 2 just hit its two-year mark, and now we’re in Season 13. In that time, a lot has shifted. PvE missions from Season 6? Yeah, looks like those have been quietly forgotten. But instead of more PvE content, Blizzard’s got something else up their sleeve—a mobile version of the popular shooter is supposedly in the works. And fans? Not exactly thrilled.

The rumblings about a mobile game aren’t totally new. According to Jason Schreier, who’s dug into Blizzard’s 33-year history in his book Play Nice, it’s not just a rumor. He mentions that Team 4 might be cooking up an Overwatch Mobile.

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While Blizzard reportedly works on a mobile version of Overwatch 2, some players are questioning the company’s development choices. - Images: Blizzard

No official word from Blizzard yet, but Schreier claims he’s gotten this info through 300+ interviews with Blizzard employees. That’s a lot of people whispering about a game that hasn’t even been confirmed yet.

But here’s where it gets fun: Players are not loving the idea. Dexerto reported back in August that a smaller team inside Blizzard—made up of King employees (yep, the Candy Crush people)—is working on adapting Overwatch, StarCraft, and Warcraft for mobile. Walter Kong, the current GM of Overwatch 2, has apparently been handed the mobile project. Makes sense, right? Overwatch 2 has been around long enough for a mobile spin-off to happen.

Still, the community’s having none of it. One player wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “So they can make a mobile game but can’t make more PvE?” Another complained, “They’re wasting resources on this when we’re getting the least amount of content since Overwatch 2 dropped.” Ouch. The general vibe is that people feel Blizzard might be spreading itself too thin, and the game’s core experience is suffering for it.

Players Are Worried… For Some Good Reasons

The skepticism about Overwatch Mobile isn’t just about being anti-mobile gaming. Players are concerned about game balance and how the mobile version might affect the whole ecosystem.

And nobody wants a repeat of the underwhelming experience that was Overwatch on Switch. There are also legit concerns about cheating. Mobile games already have enough problems with hacks—just imagine the chaos on Overwatch’s servers if xim (that mouse/keyboard-on-console mess) found its way to mobile.

Some are also wondering why Blizzard is even doing this. Is it just to cash in on the mobile market? The theory isn’t far-fetched. After all, Call of Duty: Mobile, Fortnite, and PUBG Mobile made their billions by going portable.

Even Valorant Mobile is testing in China with some solid feedback. So, yeah, if done right, it could be a hit. But Blizzard would need to really step up their game to pull it off.

What If Overwatch Mobile Actually Works?

Here’s a crazy thought for you: What if Blizzard manages to nail this mobile version? The success of games like Fortnite Mobile proves it’s possible. Sure, it could be a mess like Apex Legends Mobile—remember that game? It had potential, but EA shut it down, blaming poor quality and a lack of content. The worry here is that Blizzard could stumble into the same traps.

At the same time, if they take notes from what worked (and didn’t) for those mobile giants, Overwatch 2 could pull off a slick, touch-friendly version without compromising too much. The trick would be finding that balance between keeping the hero-shooter gameplay we all know and love and not overwhelming our thumbs with a million buttons on a tiny screen.

Long story short, Blizzard has its work cut out for them if this Overwatch Mobile is really happening. It could either be a huge hit—or a frustrating disappointment. The fans are hoping for the best but seem prepared for the worst.

Blizzard, the ball’s in your court. Let’s just hope you don’t fumble it.