Summary
A newOverwatch 2hotfix shakes up the new player experience, only requiring 5 matches played to unlock other game modes while also adding AI-controlled opponents in Quick Play. The latest update forOverwatch 2takes a few lessons fromMarvel Rivalsby utilizing bots, though Blizzard has taken the time to highlight it rather than have fans figure it out for themselves.
It’s been a busy week for Blizzard as the company has just come off releasing themassive mid-season update forOverwatch 2. A new Year of the Snake event kicked off by bringing back the Mischief & Magic event, while 6v6 experimental also launched Min 1, Max 3 Mode. Blizzard also took the opportunity to adjust its roster of heroes, providing buffs to characters like Ramattra and Echo, while tuning down others like Ana and Juno.
Following that, Blizzard has released a hotfix, which is much smaller in terms of overall content, but will undoubtedly have a big impact on the game experience. Specifically, the update makes a big adjustment to the new player experience, requiring only 5 matches to be played in order to unlock all other modes, have theOverwatch 2Quick Play Role Queueavailable instead of Quick Play Open Queue, and more importantly, encounter bots in the first five matches while playing Quick Play.
It’s worth noting that experienced players or new players who demonstrate higher skills will be bumped up to a higher matchmaking ranking faster. Ultimately, Blizzard confirmed this change was made to provide a better first-time experience for new players, who could be paired, on occasion, with experienced players creating alt accounts in order to play easier matches.Smurfing inOverwatch 2has continued to be a big problem, and Blizzard is hoping this change can start to alleviate that.
The reveal online has left most players feeling like this is a positive change overall for the game’s long-term health, which has been under a bit of duress more than usual due to the rapid upswing in the popularity ofMarvel Rivals. WhileMarvel Rivalsexperienced its own bot controversyearly on, it seemingly hasn’t hurt the game’s overall player population, which remains strong as the game continues to add new content and put pressure on Blizzard to keep refining theOverwatch 2experience.
Overwatch 2 January 28 Hotfix Patch Notes
Hotfix Feature Update
This is a feature hotfix. Replay codes from the July 18, 2025 patch are still available.
New Player Experience
Developer Comment: We have noticed that genuinely new players can sometimes be paired against players who are starting alternate accounts which can create a poor first-time experience for those new players. Also, to help keep players on alternate accounts from playing at a high level on lower skill matches, we are starting to roll out a new system which will rapidly adjust the initial matchmaking rating of new players to match their skills significantly faster.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
