In an unprecedented move, Blizzard announced its decision to extend its games to the widely-popular PC gaming platform, Steam, starting with the highly-anticipated Overwatch 2. The official launch of Valve’s digital storefront is slated for August 10, 2023.
Historically, Blizzard’s PC games, including Overwatch 2, have been exclusive to the Battle.net platform. However, a shift in strategy comes amidst Microsoft’s impending acquisition of Activision Blizzard and a noticeable dip in player engagement. Although Blizzard has not specified which games will follow Overwatch 2 to Steam, the company revealed that a selection of its games will be ported from Battle.net.
Blizzard’s acceptance of Steam as a game platform signifies a significant shift in its strategy. The company cited meeting players where they are and making their games accessible as a driving factor behind this decision. “We want to give everyone a chance to experience our universes with old friends while making new ones, no matter how they choose to play,” Blizzard stated in a blog post.
This move, however, does not imply that Blizzard is stepping away from its Battle.net platform. Instead, Blizzard aims to “break down the barriers” and make it easier for players worldwide to enjoy their games. Blizzard noted that the gaming industry has significantly evolved since the launch of Battle.net two decades ago, and this change embraces the principle that gaming is now for everyone.
Mike Ybarra, President of Blizzard Entertainment, stated, “It’s our goal at Blizzard to listen to players and try to exceed their expectations in everything we do. While Battle.net remains a priority for us now and into the future, we’ve heard players want the choice of Steam for a selection of our games, starting with Overwatch 2 on August 10th. We’re happy to work with Valve to make that happen.”
Gabe Newell, Valve’s President, also weighed in on the development, highlighting the benefits for gamers and developers. Newell believes Overwatch 2’s arrival on Steam will enhance its capabilities and positively impact its supported features and functionality.
