The prospect of Overwatch Mobile has been a tantalizing idea for fans, particularly after Jason Schreier's revelations about a shelved mobile version in his recent book on Blizzard. However, a fresh agreement between Korean developer Nexon and Blizzard might just breathe new life into this dream.
The core of this deal centers on securing the publishing and development rights for a new installment in the legendary StarCraft RTS series. The competition was intense, with other notable companies like Krafton and Netmarble showing interest. Should this deal be finalized, Nexon will take the helm in steering the future of the StarCraft franchise.
Yet, what has truly piqued interest is the report that the bidding extended to include the publishing rights for Overwatch Mobile. This development not only suggests that the mobile project isn't dead but also hints at an exciting twist: the mobile version might come in the form of a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena). This could potentially mark an official sequel to the Overwatch universe.
This isn't the first time Overwatch has dabbled in the MOBA genre, as fans may recall Blizzard's previous push with Heroes of the Storm. There's a possibility that the proposed Overwatch MOBA could be a mobile version of Heroes of the Storm. Alternatively, it could be an entirely new spin-off, expanding the Overwatch universe in fresh and exciting ways.
While the notion of an 'Overwatch 3' being developed for mobile seems unlikely, given the franchise's traditional focus on console and PC platforms, embracing a MOBA format could be a strategic move for Blizzard. With new competitors like Marvel Rivals emerging, Blizzard and its partners might need to take bold steps to keep Overwatch relevant and thriving in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.