Stadium isOverwatch 2’s newest way to jump into the fight. Over two years in the making, this 5v5 Competitive mode has pushed through numerous design hurdles and iterations to becomeOverwatch 2’s next major addition. As a multi-round mode set in a best-of-7 format, Stadium takesOverwatchheroes and gives them transformative new abilities, Powers, and Items to dominate the arena.
With Stadium set to arriveinOverwatch 2on April 22, there’s much to explore about its development journey, with Game Rant speaking with Team 4 in a recent roundtabel interview. First mentioned to the public in February’s Spotlight Event, Stadium features the option to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives, 17 heroes at launch, 9 maps, and a new competitive ranking system. Not only do these features set it apart from traditionalOverwatchmodes like 5v5 and 6v6, but they also signal a bold new direction for Blizzard’s hero shooter.
How a Simple Concept Sparked Overwatch 2’s Boldest Game Mode Yet
The Story Behind Stadium’s Development
Far from a side project or limited-time game mode, Stadium is set to become the third pillar of Blizzard’s hero shooter. Born from a simple idea by game director Aaron Keller’s son, with whom heplaysHearthstone Battlegrounds, this mode is a familiar yet entirely new way to engage with the world ofOverwatch, much likeHearthstone Battlegroundsis to the originalHearthstone. From the start, Keller had high hopes for Stadium, and from that initial design pitch, it has steadily evolved into the expansive mode it is today. Its starting point was “how far can we push this game mode?” and that “Variation is king with Stadium.”
Long-term fans have noticed that modes like Totally Normalwatch, Junkerstein’s Laboratory, andMirrorwatch often felt like test bedsfor something larger. Team 4 confirmed this information recently, noting that they’d built a lot of experimental game modes to investigate what works for Stadium. Certain elements of these game modes were amplified to gauge player reactions, allowing them to push some features to their limits and analyze how they might perform in Stadium. For Team 4, balancing is a large pillar on the map and mode side.
One of the most significant developments in Stadium is the ability toswitch camera perspectives, a feature never before seen inOverwatch. For some players, third-person is preferred, as it provides a broader view of the battlefield and makes repositioning easier. Interestingly, data from playtests shows no strong preference between first- and third-person usage. Senior game designer Dylan Snyder commented on this, saying,
“When we first started experimenting with third-person, many people said, ‘I’m first-person all the way; I’m not even going to try third-person.’ And now, plenty of them will use third-person for certain heroes. Alternatively, some realize they prefer playing Ana or Ashe exclusively in first-person just because of their aim preferences, and that tells us we really want to offer a per-hero option to set as a hero setting.”
More Heroes Are Headed to Stadium Mode Sooner Than You Think
Keller noted that multiple heroes can be expected to roll out with each new season of Stadium. While classic heroes like Tracer and Winston are at the top of some fans' wish lists, Freja is already confirmed to be making her way to the arena. As thenewest hero to joinOverwatchin Season 16, this may come as an exciting surprise to some, but her highly expressive kit should be perfect for the fast-paced game mode.
In addition to new heroes, subsequent seasons will contain new features that affect how heroes can build their kits. The entire game will continue to grow and introduce new elements over the year, with Stadium playing a pivotal role in that ongoing expansion. With more heroes coming in the future, Team 4 mentioned that they do have to consider future heroes coming to Stadium that don’t exist now, and how that may affect current builds and metas.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
