Blizzard’s Overwatch may have lost some luster among gamers, but could a potential mobile port save it?
Most gamers saw Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard as the start of a new era, but not necessarily a good one. Since the acquisition, hundreds of Activision-Blizzard staff have been laid off, resulting in the cancellation of multiple projects. In addition, the aggressive focus on the Call of Duty side of the deal made fans worry about Blizzard’s properties despite regular updates and new character releases.
Although Overwatch 2 still boasts a solid player base, controversies have significantly made it less competitive against rivals like Apex Legends. Plus, with the lack of promised features, Overwatch 2 wasn’t the massive hit many fans felt it should have been. Even so, new information has surfaced that could change the game for Overwatch fans.
Is Overwatch Mobile in development?
A mobile version of Overwatch is reportedly in development.
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier stated this in his latest book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment. The project is said to be part of a push by Overwatch general manager Walter Kong. A mobile version of Overwatch has been a topic of discussion among fans for some time and for good reason. Job listings from Blizzard have hinted at the possibility of a mobile port in the past.
Whether the mobile version is a port or mobile spin-off like League of Legends: Wild Rift or Apex Legends Mobile is unclear. Regardless, the potential of an Overwatch Mobile is undeniable.
The mobile gaming market is estimated to be around half of the gaming industry’s total revenue. Fans hope the developers have learned from previous mobile attempts.
Blizzard has enjoyed success in the mobile market, despite controversies
Titles like Diablo Immortal, Hearthstone, and Warcraft Rumble showcase the studio’s controversial success with mobile ports.
Hearthstone is still Blizzard’s most successful and longest-tenured mobile title. While many fans, both online and at Blizzcon 2018, panned Diablo Immortal conceptually, it went on to have the biggest launch in the franchise’s history. The game itself still attracted criticism, namely for its aggressive monetization and surface-level plot.
Warcraft Rumble didn’t quite make the same splash as Diablo Immortal or Hearthstone, however. In early 2024, fans noticed a distinct drop in player count and downloads for the spin-off. If Overwatch Mobile is to succeed, Blizzard needs to lock in.