PvE is Delayed Because “We have 60 million players that love” PvP

It’s been more than two years since the release of Overwatch 2, and the game has faced many challenges. Blizzard’s decision to switch the 5v5 formula and bring one of the most disgusting monetization plans left a sour taste for many.

One of the major reasons why Blizzard ever created an Overwatch 2 sequel was to bring PvE content. However, for some odd reason, Blizzard decided to delay all the plans for one of the most-hyped modes just because the studio believes that gamers love the PvP side of things more.

Blizzard’s neglect of PvE revealed by Overwatch 2 director

It was quite sad to see Jeff Kaplan leaving Blizzard back in 2021. He was the man responsible for the original Overwatch, which led to gaming moments that the industry can never forget. However, after his departure, Aaron Keller took on the task of developing and managing Overwatch 2.

Before the sequel’s release, Keller sat down with GameSpot and opened up about his new position, pressures, and the path forward in developing the game. When asked about the vision for the franchise forward, Keller stated that PvE is crucial, but it’s the PvP where Blizzard’s focus truly lies.

But the other side of the game is just as important, if not more important, and that’s the PvP side of the game. We have 60 million players that love that side of the game and are attached to that side of the game. We know, going forward, we have to make the next best version of a team-based shooter.

When you look back at these statements from the game’s director, it’s not that shocking that Blizzard decided to determinate its plans for the PvE section of Overwatch 2. Under Keller’s leadership, the task was always to create the top version of a team-based hero shooter, and that wouldn’t have been possible focusing just solely on PvE.

Even though Blizzard paid full attention to the PvP side of Overwatch 2, it’s proven to be one of the biggest failures. The development team still can’t decide where to take action with the constant juggling between 5v5 and 6v6 formats. It says a lot about Blizzard’s leadership and its inability to handle games and player expectations.

PvE might be returning to Overwatch 2

It’s not just the inherent issues of Overwatch 2 that have led to the downfall of the game. The launch of Marvel Rivals at the end of 2024 brought one of the biggest hurdles to overcome for Blizzard as the new game pulled gamers from its own hero-shooter.

However, it seems like Blizzard has finally woken up. The studio has recently dropped its first Director’s Take of 2025, in which Keller opens up about various changes gamers can expect to see in Overwatch 2 in 2025.

After reflecting on the many additions and changes 2024, brought to the game’s Competitive scene, Keller stated that the game mode will continue with a yearly cycle, allowing new and old players to reach new ranks.

According to the official announcement, the Champion rank wasn’t attainable like the team had thought, which could see some changes in the next season. Keller also stated that Competitive mode will also receive new systems that will be announced soon.

Considering that the Director’s Take points to the upcoming announcements, Blizzard might have more features and modes in the pocket. There’s a chance one of those additions could be PvE, which is smaller in scale but enough to satisfy Overwatch 2 players.

Marvel Rivals is already considering a PvE mode, and given that it’s going to base it on the Marvel IP, it will be a smash hit. This move will pull in millions of players to the title, and Blizzard can’t afford that at this point.

With that said, would you like to see Blizzard releasing the PvE mode in Overwatch 2? Let us know in the comments below.