Overwatch 2 Season 3 Announcement – Everything new

Blizzard has dropped the Overwatch 2 Season 3 announcement trailer just a day out from its likely launch date. We’ve got a look at some of the new content coming, with a highlight on the new map that’s launching, new skins, and an anime crossover! The new season of Overwatch is making some big changes to things like monetization, but there’s still plenty of new content to sink into too.

While there’s no new Hero this time around the existing ones have had some decent changes. A new map also opens new avenues for gameplay for every Hero. On top of that, we’re getting multiple events and even a spin-off dating Sim game! The new season is currently scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, February 7. We’re getting new seasonal content, but also a Valentine’s Day event, Overwatch’s first crossover, and a spotlight for Pachimari!

This is everything that’s new in Overwatch 2 Season 3!

Overwatch 2 Season 3 Update

New Map – Antarctic Peninsula

Overwatch 2 Season 3 isn’t going to be getting a new Hero this time. Although, there’s still something big coming in the update. It’s going to be a new map, Antarctic Peninsula. Blizzard has been upfront about the new Hero schedule, so this system was expected in most Overwatch 2 Season 3 expectations.

It’ll be a familiar local for a lot of Overwatch fans. This map takes inspiration from a previous Mei cinematic, Rise and Shine. It’s based on the ecology stations depicted there. In terms of gameplay though, this is a Control map that features a few different interesting spots. There’s an icebreaker ship and even a drilling station. The map design features plenty of high ground and interesting layouts for gameplay.

A new map means everyone can enjoy the new content, not just whoever manages to select the latest character quickly enough! Although, you’ll still be at the mercy of the map picks before you get to try out the newest one.

Workshop Mode

Workshop mode’s more advanced tools are making a return from Overwatch 1! This is a mode where players have access to tools and other options to create more in-depth customised games. Some of the more complex options are getting added in with Overwatch 2 Season 3 and some new tools that go further than before.

The Overwatch 2 version of Workshop in full had its release delayed a bit from the game’s original launch. This will allow it to be a bit more fleshed out with new tools and more options for customizing things in-game.

The custom games are also going to be receiving some actual moderation, after a series of high-profile controversial game modes were created, including a “Sexual Harassment” mode that somehow stayed up for quite a while. Those problems should be less frequent with the Overwatch 2 Season 3 update. Although, go into roleplay games at your own risk!

Overwatch 2 Season 3 Skins

One of the biggest parts of any new season is going to be the skins. With Overwatch reintroducing a way to earn currency for free, players are going to be able to get more of these than in the last two seasons. There are new themed skills for characters in the battle Pass as well as some fresh skins hitting the store. These are the big new skins that have been shown off so far.

Overwatch 2 Season 3 Mythic Skin – Amaterasu Kiriko

The new Mythic skin in the Overwatch 2 Season 3 Battle Pass is Amaterasu Kiriko. The gun is named for the Japanese Goddess of the Sun, and it has a fitting design. The skin is a Mythic level so you can expect an extra level of polish. It’s even going to affect Kiriko’s spirit Fox.

This skin is going to be unlocked on level 80 of the Overwatch 2 Season 3 Battle Pass. It’s the big reward for the season, but there are plenty more skins coming in the Battle Pass and elsewhere if you’re not a healer.

One Punch Man Crossover in Overwatch 2 Season 3

Overwatch is getting its very first crossover! A One Punch Man Doomfist skin is coming to the game. The skin renders Doomfist in the same outfit as Saitama, but still lets him keep a bit of his own personality. This is a licensed crossover, not just a lookalike skin like we’ve seen for other characters in the past.

This is an interesting move for the skins. Games like Fortnite are frequently crossing over with anime, but it’s relatively new to Overwatch. We might start to see this more often, with various pop culture icons getting moved into Overwatch for cool skins.

The crossover is going to take place from March 7 to April 6. It’s not just one skin for Doomfist though. Players who don’t use that Hero are still getting something too. There’s also going to be an earnable skin that you get through challenges alongside some other cosmetics on this theme. Those will be shown off closer to the launch date for this part of Overwatch 2 Season 3.

Overwatch 2 Season 3 Other Skins

As with other seasons, there seems to be a specific theme for the skins this time around. While Blizzard hasn’t shown them all off yet, they’re going to be based around Asian Mythology following on from last season’s Greek mythology theme for the Battle Pass.

The Battle Pass featuring those new skins is coming with the new Season. There’s a special bonus for dedicated players too. If you log in during your first week, you’ll get the first five levels for free.

Valentine’s Day

A big feature coming for Valentine’s Day is going to be a special game mode. This will be a Hanzo 4-v-4 mode. On top of that, they’ll be cosmetics and challenges to come for the event.

Logging in through Valentine’s Day is going to mean you get a Cupid Hanzo player Icon for free.

Loverwatch

One new element for Overwatch that isn’t in the game itself is Loverwatch! This is a Dating Sim that you’re going to be able to play in a browser. If you get through the whole experience, you’ll get a new highlight intro for Hanzo. You can choose to play the Mercy or Hanzo path in the game itself. It’s a text-only game that only takes around 30 minutes to play in full.

This is only going to be available to play through February 13-28. Players will have to get on it quickly if they want to ensure they’re getting everything.

PachiMari

This is going to be another big event in Overwatch Season 3. It’s going to be focused on the lovable creature that’s always been around the world of Overwatch. This is a whole event focused on them! It’s a returning event with some fun content.

Over the course of this event, there’s going to be a Kill Confirmed game mode. On top of that, there are new cosmetic rewards. There’s an Epic skin available to be earnt, six player icons, and more. Players can also unlock an Epic tier skin for Roadhog themed around Pachimari before the event ends. It’s going to be running from March 21 to April 4.

New Reward Systems in Overwatch 2 Season 3

The Overwatch 2 Season 3 update is going to have quite a few new cosmetics, a lot of players have been frustrated with how you unlock cosmetics though. They’re making some changes in the latest update. While the exact system hasn’t been explained just yet, the executive producer of the game Jares Neuss explained that a new system to address the lack of choice in rewards is coming in the new season.

Credits

A big change to monetization has come with Overwatch 2 Season 3. The legacy credits were previously just carried over from Overwatch 1. Credits will be a bigger part of the game going forward. You’ll be able to earn 1,500 for free in the game and 500 more by getting through the paid Battle Pass.

There’s going to be an opportunity to earn 4 skins outside of the Battle Pass, alongside other various cosmetics you can grab in events. They’ll also be more earnable Legendary skins too.

Overwatch 2 Season 3 Returning Skins

Loads of old skins are making a comeback with the Overwatch 2 Season 3 update! Players can purchase close to all of the Epic and Legendary event skins from the first Overwatch. This will also have a lower price than they did in previous levels.

Overwatch World Cup Celebration

The Overwatch World Cup will be getting underway pretty soon as teams start to assemble their roster for the event. This is going to be celebrated in-game with other free cosmetics. You. Can log in over February 7-20 to get a free gold medal weapon charm.

Streamer Mode in Overwatch 2 Season 3 Update

Alongside changes to moderation in-game, Blizzard is stepping up their efforts to make Overwatch 2 a safer place for streamers. A new streamer mode will bring in queue delays and other protections to cut down on stream sniping. While this won’t affect the majority of players it should help make Overwatch 2 a more entertaining game to watch on stream.

That’s all of the major changes coming with the new season, although it’s the Overwatch 2 Season 3 Hero and balance changes you’ll really want to dig into for how it’ll affect your gameplay. There are loads going on through Season 3 so players will have more reasons than ever to jump in regularly and see how Blizzard’s new approach to the game progresses.