So why is OW2 being pitched as a sequel?

[Revamp Man]

You did not play wow long time, yeah? Quite some ago, you do not need base game, only sub and if you want you can buy last expansion pack. All other packs are included in sub

No that's not how that works


Jesus Christ I thought maybe I was alone in not understanding some stuff from the presentations this year because I only really play WoW but damn these forums make me feel like a genius

[sam86]

They overhyped PvE co-op mode as a whole separate game basically. Normally it would just be $30 DLC.

15
there are custom made maps that have insane effort in them, UNO map comes to my mind as a quite complex map made with the custom editor they gave us

[SunspotAnims]

When you take into account every addition coming with the launch of Overwatch 2, it does start to seem like a soft reboot of the game, which would warrant the "2" in the title. For example, PvE content aside, Overwatch 2 marks the first time since the game's launch that a new core game mode has been added, as well as the first time that multiple new maps and heroes will be added at the same time. Combine that with visual redesigns, engine upgrades, and the UI redesign, and I think Overwatch 2's launch will add enough to make Overwatch feel new.

While I think all of this is good for the game, I agree that, in terms of monetization, the current dichotomy between 1 and 2 is unnecessarily confusing. To be clear, the PvE content and visual redesigns for the heroes are the primary additions that would require a new purchase. All of the PvP additions will be free for players of the original game.

[sam86]

So that Overwatch1 may live. It's been out for over 3.5 years and players can still perfectly play without spending a penny.

maybe because overwatch is way overpriced for what tiny content it offers?
it is still costing a full game price even if it has only pvp part, and if u suck at shooter and think because they called it hero class and u don't need to know how to aim to play (yes they literally said that way back in its early videos) u are f8cked
even Reindhart has a short cd ranged attack that is very useful and needed, if u hate fps or suck at aiming there is zero chance in that game, that was wrong publicity and back then i still had more trust in blizz (specially since Legion was great)
OW1 only good addition was the workshop which is basically blizz say pay us so u make content for us for free, there are many great games made that i bet will be better than the new 'pve' games, and if it wasn't heavy restricted (unlike wc3 map editor, where u can load entire scripts and make ur own custom animations) i bet ppl would made a far better superior game than blizz can ever do in ow2
the most famous game still worldwide and most played is LOL and Dota2, based on a custom map from wc3

And because of this they sell overwatch 2. More money, since lootboxes are probably no longer be the main income (and even more some countries are now even disallowing them at all)

and more should lootbox caused an insane rise in gambling, gambling is 600% more than what it was 10 years ago, those lootboxes are literally gambling for children
i'm surprised why they aren't acting fast enough to end this disguised gambling

[Ealyssa]

Way simpler to market
Way simpler to comprehend for the mass

Just simpler than loosing it with stupid expansion names.

It's just like Playstation going simple 2 3 4 5 the route when Xbox try to come with original names. It's useless. You don't have to. Just put a number and everyone understand.

[lolec123]

No that's not how that works


Jesus Christ I thought maybe I was alone in not understanding some stuff from the presentations this year because I only really play WoW but damn these forums make me feel like a genius

Previous poster is correct. Sadly you thing otherwise. You can check it by yourself.

For my example, I have account, on that I did not purchase any expansions. And still I can play fine all expect current one (Battle for Azeroth). You can see information on site https://i.imgur.com/q8ky30r.png. Just paying sub fee. I also have accounts, where I bought expansion\complete edition, also have my old account from Vanilla, on what I bought all addons throuhg Shadowlands. Because when you started playing Vanila, you could not play BC, if you do not buy Vanila, when Wotlk, you can not play Wotlk, if you did not buy Vanila + BC etc.

You can not even purchase any expansions pakcs expect BFA (Current one) https://i.imgur.com/kHM1FuW.png and Shadowlands (next one) https://i.imgur.com/hmb30sK.png If you want you can buy Complete edition https://i.imgur.com/XXRvapO.png and get both BFA+Shadowlands included in it https://i.imgur.com/nRgNJr0.png . They changed how game works quite a long time ago.

Right now, you do not need to own any expansions or base game itselft to play it. Only Sub fee. New player who want to play game right away, just need to buy Current one expansion, and he ready to go. or he can experience all things expect last one for just Sub Free, you do not need purchase BC\Wotlk\Cata\MoP\WoD\Legion to play them.

Back on topic. They can call OW2 how threy want, redifined sequel, new game with new engines and mods etc. But sad true is, that this is just expeansion for OW1. If you have OW1, and when OW2 comes out, you get absolutely all of it for free, expect PvE campaign mode, that is esssiantialy what OW2 is about. Players who do not own OW1, can buy OW2 and get all things straight away. If they give some discount to players who have OW1 when it basicly expansion for OW1.

Overwatch 2 naming is better for marketing purpsose. So they can gain new players. Existing one still exist and play in "OWnewclient" and thay sometime buy lootboxes and play, but new players will generate new income for them. Also some existing player will also buy OW2 for PvE, so this is win win situation for Blizzard. And I bet my hat, after what they done with redifine sequel, many players will look at other games, and tell Blizzard example. So it is good thing for player in long run. Imagine Destiny 2 done that way (I Know Destiny 1 was not on PC, but this is not important). Or other games, that are just every year reskin. Only one thing that can be bad in that situation, only if Blizzard decide to not give discount to OW1 players, so every "sequel" you will pay full price, but you can keep all things.

[baskev]

Cataclysm added new graphical effects, but it wasn't pitched as "WoW 4".

There are always one ones out. But then why is mario sunshine not a expansion pack?
But here...a other reason why its not a expansion pack. A expansion pack NEEDS the offical game. Overwatch 2 does not need overwatch 1.

New maps, new heroes, new game modes and new story were added to Overwatch throughout its life. By this logic, we should be on, like, Overwatch 15 by now.

Man this is some sketchy qouting by you. You take out 1 sentence. The whole piece of text also talked about new systems that where being added. So nice fox newsing something i just said. :P

But it's the same game. It's literally backwards compatible / crossplay with the first game.
That's not a sequel. That's an expansion pack.

Yes and that is why they redefine it as a new sort sequel.
Because simply put . A expansion pack NEEDS its original game. This does not. And if you play overwatch 1...you can not play some of the new things ( like pve) from overwatch 2. And that is why its a sequel.


But lets turn it around for you so you can understand. What does overwatch 2 need to do, to be a expansion pack?:

- it needs to original game play
- it does not change the game engine.
- the content is not larger then the whole original game
- it adds elements, maps, skins etc.
- you can still play all of the game ( overwatch 1) ( minus quest/skin the expansion gives). But the core game is still playable.


The above is what a expansion needs to be, to be called a expansion.

Now you do not need overwatch 1, it does change the game engine, there is more new content, and you have stuff that players of overwatch 1 do not have/can not play.

But the main thing of a expansion pack is: it expands the core game ( and needs it to play it). This game does not. ergo its a not a expansion.
There are stand alone expansion packs. But they use the same code and graphics etc from the main game. Overwatch 2 does not. ergo........not a expansion pack.


here is a wiki for you: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expans...haracteristics

[anon5123]

There are always one ones out. But then why is mario sunshine not a expansion pack?

Because it's an entirely new game, separate from the previous game.

A expansion pack NEEDS the offical game. Overwatch 2 does not need overwatch 1.

They both use the same game client.

Man this is some sketchy qouting by you. You take out 1 sentence. The whole piece of text also talked about new systems that where being added. So nice fox newsing something i just said.

Not an argument

Yes and that is why they redefine it as a new sort sequel.

You can't just redefine words to mean whatever you want them to mean.

If it looks like an expansion and functions like an expansion, it's an expansion.

[wargone]

Fake hype for an originally overhyped bad game whose 15 seconds of fame are over.

Man what is your life even.. If i cared as little about a game as it seem you do about overwatch, i would not waste my time Looking for places to talk badly about it...

OT: How is it an sequel? it not really. well it adds a major PVE elements. and i feel like it weird to hate overwatch 2 for carrying over progress, it would be more shit if they do what call of duty and such yearly games do, Do a full reset with the same gameplay. so yea, I am fine with it. they take the PVP that works, and then the "sequel" part is a major overhual for their PVE

[Kathranis]

After watching the press conference / interview that Hammeh posted, it sounds like they basically don't think of it as an expansion because the goal is to have as much new content as you would get in a full game.

I think people might be underestimating how much PvE content it's going to deliver, if that's the case.

[Queen of Hamsters]

MMO-Champion, where random nobodies know shit that the people getting paid do not! How? Feels, of course!

Them doing this for Overwatch = something other franchises could only dream of. Yet, it's somehow a bad thing.

Thats the kind thing that when it drops, WoW will pay the price. Last time it was 8% of employees. .

No, you're peddling a BS narrative that hasn't proven right in the past 12+ years that it's been peddled by people such as yourself.

You seem to leave out the fact that the employees being let go were in Customer Support and the likes, NOT developers. WoW had more developers added to its roster in a refocus on their biggest franchises.

But by all means, don't let something as simple as facts dampen your doom and gloom.

[Val the Moofia Boss]

Because Blizzard is a publicly traded corporation and needs to put titles out there to please stockholders.

[therealstegblob]

Man what is your life even.. If i cared as little about a game as it seem you do about overwatch, i would not waste my time Looking for places to talk badly about it...

Boohoo I went on the internet and someone insulted a video game boohoo

[Thetruth1400]

Hype basically. Also, Activision has their boot on the necks of Blizzard to "Release games more frequently."


There's very little in Overwatch 2 that justifies a price point of even $40 of a typical expansion, let alone the potentially $60 that a typical game costs.

They're holding back the heroes and maps that they normally deliver and calling it "A big drop for the sequel." They're touting "4 new maps" and while that is true, it's deceptive as well. The four new maps are because they're adding in a new game type mode; push. They need a variety of maps so it doesn't feel stale fast. Same goes for their "there will be quite a few heroes at launch." comment; of course there will be, you're not going to be releasing them as you have been forever. We would usually get one this month, and depending on when Overwatch 2 comes out, we could have usually seen 1 - 3 more depending on the release date. In other words, if Overwatch 2 doesn't drop with more than 4 new heroes, it is just delayed content, not more.

The only thing that's really new is the PvE mode and everything that comes with that. Taking that into account, it's clear to see it's a minor expanded feature, so now all we need is a minor price to go with it.

[swaggs]

Its odd but if there were no OW1 cross play and no carry-forward unlocks from OW1 would we be having this conversation? Of course not. There would be a debate about if there was enough changed in the sequel to justify the price or something but the fact that it WAS a sequel would not be called into question. Its almost like people view backwards compatibility as a negative if you read threads like this.

[Beastiel]

clear and simple answer:

They mentioned that with the success of Diablo 3:RoS, despite feeling as though audiences unanimously agreed it fixed the game, did not sell nearly as well as they had hoped and did not bring a sizeable amount of people back to the game. They now feel as though calling something a sequel is significantly more sellable than calling it an expansion. I think it will be pretty rare from this point onward for buy-to-play games from blizzard to feature expansions.

or as blizzard put it, "We want to redefine what a sequel means"

[baskev]

Because it's an entirely new game, separate from the previous game.

Nope, its the same mario on a new map in your logic. Has the same gameplay, same hero. Only looks better and new map. In your logic it is not a expansion then.

They both use the same game client.

Nope, cross play will be there. But nope. They remade the graphical engine......And they add somethings like talents in pve mode...you know..the new mode.

Not an argument

It is, you pick a part of a piece of text. And not use the rest. By this you are manipulating something i said, and twisting a discussion/argument into your will.

You can't just redefine words to mean whatever you want them to mean.

If it looks like an expansion and functions like an expansion, it's an expansion.

And they are not saying sequel means something new: They are adding to what they think a sequel can be.......something different.

And it does not function like a expansion. Expansions are smaller versions of the main game, with less content into them. And they change nothing about client/game engine...wich they did.

[Low Hanging Fruit]

Seems pretty obvious to me. If they package it as an expansion they probably end up selling for the 39.99-49.99 mark or people will rage. Make it a "full" new game then 59.99 is an easy target. Probably also fishes out a lot more box sells on consoles. "My kid loved Overwatch and here is Overwatch 2!! EASY BUY!!" type of shit you know.

[Speedlance]

Graphic updates er ow2 specific. The talent system is ow 2 specific and the pve side. And we dont know the price yet.
Now you can sleep well again as I've answered everything.

[Destronoma]

Seems pretty obvious to me. If they package it as an expansion they probably end up selling for the 39.99-49.99 mark or people will rage. Make it a "full" new game then 59.99 is an easy target. Probably also fishes out a lot more box sells on consoles. "My kid loved Overwatch and here is Overwatch 2!! EASY BUY!!" type of shit you know.

Weren't the WoW expansions each $60, though? Can't remember, but I don't think Blizz ever sold them for less than $60 at launch.

But yea, they're gonna brand it as a sequel cause that's a better way to drive sales and interest - why buy an Overwatch "expansion", when a new game would probably be better?