Finally. One less extra launcher to become a nuisance? Blizzard games are finally coming to Steam with Overwatch 2 set to be the first on August 10th. Perhaps then it's no surprise Valve fixed up an issue with Overwatch 2 in Proton Experimental for Linux / Steam Deck.
Announced in a press release:
“It’s our goal at Blizzard to listen to players and try to exceed their expectations in everything we do,” said Mike Ybarra, President of Blizzard Entertainment. “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.”
"Gamers and developers are both going to benefit from Overwatch 2 coming to Steam," said Gabe Newell, Valve's president. "Gamers will have another platform where they can play a beloved game that utilizes the capabilities of Steam, and developers will benefit from the effects of having the talented team at Blizzard helping us evolve our supported features and functionality for Overwatch 2."
Exciting times to be a gamer!
It's not clear what other Blizzard games will be coming or when, but I'll let you know when I know. For Overwatch 2 you will need to connect up a Battle.net account, which enables full cross-play too. Blizzard said playing on Steam will give you all the usual Steam features like Steam Achievements, Steam Friends integration and the ability to invite people into your game.
Looking over their recent financial results, they said pretty clearly that Overwatch 2 was seeing a decline in "engagement and player investment" but with a Steam release and the Overwatch 2: Invasion update coming, maybe they can turn it around.
You can follow Overwatch 2 on Steam.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Linux_Rocks Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: Linux_RocksMeh, Overwatch is Fortnite for adults. I'm good. lolThey are quite literally nothing alike. They have completely different styles of play.
QuoteFinally. One less extra launcher to become a nuisance?
Yeah... I hate to break it to you mate but... Have you seen EA, UBISOFT and all the other games on Steam from companies that have their own Launcher? If any, I'd say it's going to be "one more extra launcher to deal with on every stupid update they do" (looking at you, Ubisoft and EA).
Quoting: BelaptirOh yeah, there's that side of it, but with it all being on Steam it's more about less steps and hassle to manually set them up as they will just come with the Steam release. It's not perfect but still far better to be all in one download just clicking on Steam :)QuoteFinally. One less extra launcher to become a nuisance?
Yeah... I hate to break it to you mate but... Have you seen EA, UBISOFT and all the other games on Steam from companies that have their own Launcher? If any, I'd say it's going to be "one more extra launcher to deal with on every stupid update they do" (looking at you, Ubisoft and EA).
mr-victory Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: Belaptirthat have their own Launcher?For example on Battlefield 4 Steam page there is this warning: Incorporates 3rd-party DRM: EA on-line activation and Origin client software installation and background use required.
Only Battle.net account requirement is mentioned on OW2 page.
Mohandevir Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: BelaptirQuoteFinally. One less extra launcher to become a nuisance?
Yeah... I hate to break it to you mate but... Have you seen EA, UBISOFT and all the other games on Steam from companies that have their own Launcher? If any, I'd say it's going to be "one more extra launcher to deal with on every stupid update they do" (looking at you, Ubisoft and EA).
They already said that there won't be another launcher. You just need a bnet account.
Edit: I think they don't have enough players in their lootbox circus, so this is their last hurrah trying to get players?
Last edited by akselmo on 19 July 2023 at 6:37 pm UTC
mr-victory Jul 19, 2023
https://nitter.net/Qwik/status/1681720303389667328
Last edited by mr-victory on 20 July 2023 at 6:40 am UTC
slaapliedje Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: BelaptirI believe the worse are the ones like Take2 (I think it was them) that added a launcher where there wasn't one before... Conan Exiles did as well, though that's easily bypassed.QuoteFinally. One less extra launcher to become a nuisance?
Yeah... I hate to break it to you mate but... Have you seen EA, UBISOFT and all the other games on Steam from companies that have their own Launcher? If any, I'd say it's going to be "one more extra launcher to deal with on every stupid update they do" (looking at you, Ubisoft and EA).
slaapliedje Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: minidouhopefully they bring all their games to steamHa, I only want Rock N' Roll Racing, and maybe Lost Vikings... I already have Diablo 1 on GoG.
rustybroomhandle Jul 19, 2023
StalePopcorn Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: mr-victoryNo extra launcher, confirmed
https://twitter.com/Qwik/status/1681720303389667328
I hate the new Twitter that doesn't show you anything but the twitter you link if you don't have an account (and I refuse to make one). What's the question that he's answering?
Also, with that wording I dont think they cleared the launcher issue. You play your EA games through steam too, but with the launcher in the background. Not saying this will be the same case, it's just that I don't trust any PR talk when it comes to big corporations.
QuoteIt’s our goal at Blizzard to listen to players and try to exceed their expectations in everything we dolol
- take away the first game from everyone who bought it to force them onto the new one
- implement a monetization scheme that's even worse than the first game's loot boxes
- basically jettison the game mode that was used to justify making a sequel in the first place
But hey! You can play it on Steam now how awesome is that!?
I am so tired of corporate gaslighting. You wanna shit the bed, fine, I can't stop you. But don't try to tell me you're actually making tootsie rolls.
Quoting: slaapliedjeI believe the worse are the ones like Take2 (I think it was them) that added a launcher where there wasn't one before... Conan Exiles did as well, though that's easily bypassed.
THAT caused me to repurchase all the Bioshock games on GoG, because they were at the patch level just before 2K added that crappy, pointless launcher... and nobody will be touching those games but me.
Wait 'till Microsoft starts converting all their titles.
I'd be really happy to see more Blizzard games on Steam, despite their horrible policy with their failed remasters. If I could play StarCraft 2 from Steam I would buy the whole thing.
Mountain Man Jul 20, 2023
Quoting: StalePopcornOoh, I'd love to uninstall the Battle.net client to play Diablo IVI'm hoping for this, too. While Diablo IV runs great with Proton, the Battle.net launcher can be a little flaky.
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