The prospect of Overwatch coming to mobile devices seemed like a distant dream, particularly after Jason Schreier's revealing book indicated that plans for a mobile version had been shelved. However, a recent agreement between Korean developer Nexon and Blizzard has reignited hopes for an Overwatch mobile release.
The primary focus of this new deal centers on securing the publishing and development rights for a fresh installment in the renowned StarCraft real-time strategy (RTS) series. The competition was intense, with other companies like Krafton and Netmarble reportedly vying for the opportunity. Should this deal be confirmed, Nexon will take the helm in steering future entries in the StarCraft franchise.
What's stirring even more excitement and curiosity, however, are the reports suggesting that the bidding also encompassed the publishing rights for an Overwatch mobile version. This development not only hints that the mobile project is far from dead but also proposes that it could be an official sequel, possibly in the form of a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA).
This wouldn't mark the first foray of Overwatch into the MOBA genre, as fans might recall Blizzard's earlier efforts with Heroes of the Storm. It's conceivable that Heroes of the Storm could transition to mobile platforms, which might be the essence of the rumored Overwatch MOBA.
Alternatively, a standalone spin-off could be in the works. However, the notion of this being an 'Overwatch 3' can likely be dismissed, given the franchise's established focus on console and PC platforms. Yet, tapping into the MOBA genre's popularity could be advantageous for Overwatch, especially with emerging competitors like Marvel Rivals poised to challenge its dominance. This situation might prompt Blizzard and their publishing partners to take bold steps to rejuvenate this once ascendant franchise.
