The prospect of Overwatch coming to mobile devices has long been considered a distant dream, particularly following Jason Schreier's revelations about Blizzard's shelved mobile project. However, a fresh deal between Korean developer Nexon and Blizzard could reignite hopes for Overwatch enthusiasts.
The primary focus of this deal centers on securing the publishing and development rights for a new installment in the legendary StarCraft real-time strategy (RTS) franchise. The competition was intense, with other prominent companies like Krafton and Netmarble also vying for the opportunity. If confirmed, Nexon will take the helm in steering future entries in the StarCraft series.
Yet, the most surprising and intriguing aspect of these negotiations is the reported inclusion of publishing rights for Overwatch on mobile platforms. This development not only suggests that the mobile version is far from dead but also hints at the possibility of an official sequel in the form of a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA).
This wouldn't be the first time Overwatch has ventured into the MOBA genre, as Blizzard previously pushed Heroes of the Storm. It's conceivable that this proposed Overwatch MOBA could be a mobile version of Heroes of the Storm. Alternatively, a completely new spin-off release is also a strong possibility. However, the notion of this becoming an 'Overwatch 3' can be safely dismissed, as such a shift would represent a significant departure from the franchise's traditional focus on console and PC platforms.
Embracing its clear MOBA influences could prove advantageous for Overwatch, especially with new competitors like Marvel Rivals on the horizon, threatening to overshadow it. This might be the perfect moment for Blizzard and their publishing partners to take bold steps and revitalize this once burgeoning franchise.
