The Overwatch 2 Community Is Confused by Dev’s Weird 6v6 Update

The first trial of the 6v6 role-based queue system received overwhelming positive feedback from fans. They were thrilled to find a team structure they felt truly reflected Overwatch‘s original gameplay style. Forum discussions were filled with comments like “it feels like playing Overwatch once more,” as players appreciated the format for enhancing teamwork and overall gaming experience. Matchmaking times were quick, games were challenging, and it seemed that this mode was a success.

Overwatch 6v6 Has Been Moved To The Arcade

In light of the favorable response, Blizzard prolonged the 6v6 role queue playtest until the mid-season and unveiled plans for a refined version with modified team rules. Yet, the creators surprised gamers by shifting this mode to the Arcade playlist – a choice that left players scratching their heads. Historically, Arcade modes have been dedicated to casual or experimental gameplay, like Deathmatch or Total Mayhem, and aren’t typically associated with nurturing competitive environments.

Almost as soon as this change was made, there were noticeable effects. Queue times, which used to be consistently short, have suddenly spiked, with some support players experiencing waits of up to 16 minutes. Even those who tested the queues themselves observed delays, with the time for support increasing to six minutes – significantly longer than the one-to-two minutes mentioned during its Quick Play period.

I apologize, but I strongly oppose shifting the 6v6 game to the arcade section. While I understand and appreciate the intention of expanding that mode, the truth is that the arcade card seldom gets interacted with, and there’s usually no compelling reason to click on it. :/

— Abby (@AbbyAZK) January 7, 2025

In addition to longer wait times, several gamers observed a drop in the quality of matches. Quick Play implemented penalties for players who left games prematurely, making them stay even when they might lose. On the other hand, Arcade mode does not impose these penalties, causing more players to quit during games and disrupting team equilibrium.

Despite Blizzard not providing a clear rationale for the change, it’s been suggested that this could be a step towards streamlining the transition into the next 6v6 playtest phase, which might involve stricter team role limitations. However, the lack of clarity on this matter has sparked debate within the community, as some players find it puzzling why a mode that seemed to strike a chord with them is being put aside.

It occurred to me, why is it that all past methods of playing Overwatch, including arcade and competitive modes like open queue, are available, yet there’s no 6v6 option? Perhaps it’s because a majority of players (over 50%) seem to prefer this gameplay style.

— Hawk (@Thee_Hawk) January 12, 2024

As fans anxiously look forward to more developments, the move to place 6v6 in the Arcade playlist has left a gloom over what was previously a hopeful resurgence of this format. At present, the community can merely cross their fingers that Blizzard’s future take on 6v6 will tackle these issues and restore the mode to its rightfully prominent place.

Read More

2025-01-09 17:40