Overwatch 2 set to relaunch in China next month after a two-year-long hiatus

Blizzard Entertainment has partnered with NetEase Games to revive Overwatch 2 for Chinese players, with the game scheduled for a relaunch on February 19, 2025. A limited-time pre-launch technical test will take place on January 8, 2025. This is good news for Chinese fans of the popular 5v5 hero shooter that was taken offline in 2023.

In other words, those who enjoyed the multiplayer title despite its shortcomings can dive back into it soon. Here are the details about the relaunch.

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Overwatch 2 relaunches in China with retained player progression

Chinese fans can return to the world of Overwatch soon (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

After the title was taken down in China in early 2023, players from the region have missed out on several Seasons, cosmetics, modes, and more elements that have since arrived in the multiplayer FPS game. However, all content that has been made available thus far, including all 42 heroes, maps, and balance updates, will be included in this revival.

Despite Overwatch 2 being a free-to-play game, player progression has not been reset. As all data since the shutdown has been retained on the title's servers, Chinese players will not have to worry about starting over by making a new account.

The forced hiatus happened after a license agreement between Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase Games expired, with the latter being responsible for distributing the title in the region.

With things seeming to have been sorted between the two, Overwatch services are set to resume in China. Furthermore, the region will join OWCS (Overwatch World Championships) in this year's tourney as a fourth region alongside NA (North America), EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and Asia, with the Major 1 event taking place in Hangzhou.

Overwatch 2 is available to play for free across all major platforms including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.