The prospect of Overwatch coming to mobile devices has long been considered a distant dream, especially after reports from Jason Schreier's book indicated that a mobile version had been shelved. However, a recent development between Korean developer Nexon and Blizzard might reignite those hopes.
The primary focus of the deal is centered around the publishing and development rights for a new installment in the renowned StarCraft real-time strategy (RTS) franchise. The competition was intense, with other companies like Krafton and Netmarble also showing interest. Should this deal be finalized, it would position Nexon as the driving force behind future StarCraft releases.
What's particularly intriguing and surprising is the report that the bidding also involved publishing rights for Overwatch on mobile. This suggests that the mobile version is not entirely off the table and might even be developed as an official sequel in the form of a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA).
This wouldn't mark the first time Overwatch has ventured into the MOBA genre, as fans might recall Blizzard's push with Heroes of the Storm. It's conceivable that Heroes of the Storm could be brought to mobile platforms, and this might be the essence of the proposed Overwatch MOBA.
Yet, there's also a possibility of a new spin-off release. It's important to clarify that the idea of this being an 'Overwatch 3' can be confidently dismissed, as such a move would represent a significant shift for a franchise primarily focused on console and PC platforms.
Embracing its MOBA roots could prove advantageous for Overwatch, especially with new competitors like Marvel Rivals threatening to steal the spotlight. This situation might compel Blizzard and their publishing partners to take bold steps to rejuvenate this once-thriving franchise.
