Summary
- Overwatch 2 will return to China on February 19 after a two-year absence, with a technical test on January 8.
- Chinese players have missed 12 seasons.
- The first live Overwatch Championship Series event in 2025 will take place in Hangzhou to celebrate the game's triumphant return to China.
Overwatch 2 is set to make a highly anticipated return to China on February 19, marking the end of a two-year hiatus. Fans can get a head start with a technical test scheduled from January 8 to January 15. This return comes after Chinese players missed out on 12 seasons of content, including new heroes, game modes, and other exciting features.
The absence of Overwatch 2 in China began on January 24, 2023, when the partnership between Blizzard and NetEase concluded, causing nearly all Blizzard-developed games to become unavailable in the region. However, in April 2024, the two companies reconciled and embarked on the journey to bring Blizzard's games back to one of the world's most populous countries.
In a video announcement by Walter Kong, the global general manager of the Overwatch franchise, Blizzard confirmed that Overwatch 2 would relaunch in China on February 19, coinciding with the start of Season 15. The upcoming technical test will allow Chinese players to experience all 42 heroes, including the new tank hero Hazard from Season 14, and the classic 6v6 game mode.
Overwatch 2 Returns to China on February 19
Adding to the excitement, Overwatch esports is set to make a strong comeback in 2025 with the Overwatch Championship Series, featuring a dedicated China region. The first live event of the series will be held in Hangzhou, celebrating the game's return to China.
To highlight the extent of what Chinese players have missed, their servers went offline during Overwatch 2 Season 2, with Ramattra being the latest hero at that time. Since then, six new heroes have been introduced: Lifeweaver, Illari, Mauga, Venture, Juno, and Hazard. Additionally, new game modes like Flashpoint and Clash, maps such as Antarctic Peninsula, Samoa, and Runasapi, and the Invasion story missions have been added, along with numerous hero reworks and balance adjustments. Chinese players will have a lot to catch up on.
Unfortunately, the 2025 Lunar New Year event in Overwatch 2 is scheduled to end just before the game's return to China, meaning Chinese fans might miss out on the event's new skins and the return of the Prop Hunt game mode. Hopefully, Blizzard will consider hosting a delayed version of the event, allowing Chinese players to celebrate their new year in-game and enjoy their return to Future Earth.
