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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.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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27 comments
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Linux_Rocks Jul 19, 2023
Meh, Overwatch is Fortnite for adults. I'm good. lol
Liam Dawe Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: Linux_RocksMeh, Overwatch is Fortnite for adults. I'm good. lol
They are quite literally nothing alike. They have completely different styles of play.
Belaptir Jul 19, 2023
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).
Liam Dawe Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: Belaptir
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).
Oh 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 :)
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
It doesn't affect me personnally, because I avoid Activision/Blizzard at all costs, but for others... One less barrier is always good. Bring in Diablo IV and COD:Warzone (if ever the anti-cheat gets supported by Proton) and it's going to look quite positive for Steam Deck/Linux.
kuhpunkt Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: Belaptir
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).

They already said that there won't be another launcher. You just need a bnet account.
minidou Jul 19, 2023
hopefully they bring all their games to steam
akselmo Jul 19, 2023
This is so weird. I never expected this.

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
No extra launcher, confirmed
https://nitter.net/Qwik/status/1681720303389667328


Last edited by mr-victory on 20 July 2023 at 6:40 am UTC
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