The prospect of Overwatch making its way to mobile devices has long been considered a distant dream, especially following Jason Schreier's revelations about Blizzard's shelved plans. However, a recent agreement between Korean developer Nexon and Blizzard has reignited hopes for an Overwatch mobile release.
The primary focus of this deal centers on the publishing and development rights for a new installment in the legendary StarCraft real-time strategy (RTS) franchise. The competition for these rights was intense, with other companies like Krafton and Netmarble also in the running. If the deal is finalized, Nexon will be at the helm of future StarCraft projects.
What has caught the attention of fans and industry watchers alike is the possibility that the bidding also included publishing rights for an Overwatch mobile version. This suggests that the mobile port is far from dead and could potentially be an official sequel in the form of a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA).
This wouldn't mark the first time Overwatch has ventured into the MOBA genre; Blizzard previously pushed Heroes of the Storm, which could be a candidate for a mobile transition. The proposed Overwatch MOBA might actually be a revival of Heroes of the Storm on mobile devices.
Alternatively, it's possible that we might see a spin-off rather than a direct sequel. However, the notion of an 'Overwatch 3' can be firmly dismissed, as it would represent a significant shift for the franchise traditionally focused on console and PC platforms.
Embracing the MOBA genre could be a strategic move for Overwatch, especially with new competitors like Marvel Rivals emerging on the scene. This could be the perfect opportunity for Blizzard and their publishing partners to take decisive action to revitalize this once-thriving franchise.
