Blizzard plans to introduce a guild system in Overwatch 2 sometime after the multiplayer shooter launches later this year.
Answering Fan Questions at an Overwatch 2 AMA (Ask Me Anything) Reddit Thread (opens in new tab), the game’s development team was asked what new social systems will come for the next sequel. One player specifically wanted to know if in-game clans or tournaments are on the way.
“We are looking to add more social systems to Overwatch 2, and a guild system is near the top of the list for us,” said Game Director Aaron Keller. “A feature like this is a huge opportunity and something we’re really excited about, but it’s a huge boost, not just for large sections of our team, but for many other departments at Blizzard. We’ve put significant work into this feature, but it’s too early to talk about details or when it might be released.
Keller went on to say that in-game tournaments are “something the team is starting to delve into more.” He did not provide details on what they might look like or when they will appear.
Why are guilds coming to Overwatch 2?
Players have long asked Blizzard to implement a guild system in Overwatch. A formal clan mechanic would allow players to more easily coordinate matches and organize games between groups with rival groups. It would work like another social system, making it easier to find players online to make friends with if you’re desperate for a game.
A guild system would also open the door to more competitive possibilities. Clans are likely to fit into the tournament system that Keller teased in this AMA, with guilds competing against each other for titles and prizes. Add to that regional and global guild leaderboards, as well as persistent guild leaderboards, and you have a whole new competitive sector of the game.
With Blizzard releasing Overwatch 2 as a live service title, the developer will likely look as many ways as possible to keep players engaged between seasonal updates. Player-led guilds seem like a straightforward way to do just that, increasing community engagement.
There are no details yet on when the guild system will emerge, but we know it will come after the new PvP component of Overwatch 2 launches in early access on October 4th. The PvE element of the game will be released next year.
