Beyond the Field: A Director’s Insight on the Evolution and Future of Stadiums

Hey everyone! It’s exciting to see your enthusiasm for Stadium. We’ve loved watching your creativity unfold in your builds! Before diving into what’s new and what’s next, let’s take a quick look at Stadium’s journey, from its beginnings to where it stands today.

Stadium started as a concept before Overwatch 2 was even launched. My son pitched the idea to me with a sample level! From those humble beginnings, it has evolved significantly. Initially, Stadium aimed to provide a variety of gameplay through an eight-team tournament format. Players picked random upgrades in each round, but this randomization made it hard to develop solid strategies.

Recognizing this challenge, we shifted our focus. Now, we want players to feel balanced and competitive while making meaningful strategic choices based on hero compositions and performance in every match.

Current feedback has been incredibly valuable. Since its launch, playtime in Stadium has consistently been strong. In its first week, about 50% of all play hours in Overwatch 2 were spent on Stadium! We are excited to analyze this data further to implement any needed changes in the upcoming balance patch.

During a recent Reddit AMA, our team shared insights and answered questions about Stadium. We’re eager to provide even more updates soon!

Looking ahead, big plans are in store for Stadium! Seasonal updates will bring new heroes, maps, game modes, and more. For instance, Freja, the latest addition to the Overwatch roster, is set to join Stadium with the Season 16 midseason patch. New heroes consistently shift the game dynamics, enhancing overall gameplay.

Additionally, we’re introducing a new game mode called Payload Race, accompanied by two fresh maps. We’re also developing a mechanic called “Quests,” where players can choose objectives at the start of each match for unique rewards. This should add an exciting layer to gameplay.

Another key update is the build importer and exporter system, allowing players to create and select builds outside of matches, tapping into community-generated ideas. We understand your concerns about cross-play, especially for competitive modes. We’re exploring options to enable unranked versions so friends on different platforms can enjoy playing together.

Rest assured, we remain committed to all core Overwatch modes. Stadium’s evolution offers us new opportunities to enrich the game without diverting resources from other modes. We can’t wait to unveil what’s coming for Season 18. It’s shaping up to be fantastic!

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