Blizzard tucked some secrets into the Overwatch 2 maps, a few fans have discovered, and they may point to future overhauls or perhaps Overwatch 2’s PvE mode, set to launch sometime in 2023. TikTok user Lowendwibs (first spotted by IGN) noticed the blocked areas while tinkering with the replay spectator mode’s camera and uncovered substantial areas not normally reachable during regular play with pathways and complete assets – not what you normally expect from out-of-bounds areas in video games.
Lowendibs showed portions of the Rialto map, though Havana and King’s Row also appear to have unreachable, complete areas. Some commenters speculated that this was natural, since the maps featured during an event in the original Overwatch, but others pointed out these specific areas were never shown in the event.
Blizzard teased map changes during a showcase in 2021 as part of Overwatch 2’s PvE mode and Hero Missions, a type of PvE mode where a team of pre-selected heroes takes on new challenges and tasks together, instead of competitively.
When in 2023 Overwatch 2 PvE will release and what kind of challenges Blizzard has in store for Hero MIssions remain vague. For now, the development team is focused on maintaining the FPS game in its first season and gathering data to help with balance changes once season two rolls around in December 2022.
Meanwhile, make sure to check your account after Oct. 25, 2022, when Blizzard will add a free Reaper skin for everyone as an apology for the game’s rough launch.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
