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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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27 comments
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slaapliedje 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).
I 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.
slaapliedje Jul 19, 2023
Quoting: minidouhopefully they bring all their games to steam
Ha, I only want Rock N' Roll Racing, and maybe Lost Vikings... I already have Diablo 1 on GoG.
rustybroomhandle Jul 19, 2023
Interesting. Overwatch was the first game I tried with an early version of DXVK.
StalePopcorn Jul 19, 2023
Ooh, I'd love to uninstall the Battle.net client to play Diablo IV
Belaptir 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.
Smoke39 Jul 19, 2023
QuoteIt’s our goal at Blizzard to listen to players and try to exceed their expectations in everything we do
lol
  • 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.
Grogan Jul 19, 2023
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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.
omer666 Jul 19, 2023
I think this new effort is related to Microsoft buying them out and having a more open policy to other marketplaces than the Blizzard of yesteryears.
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.
ben914 Jul 19, 2023
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I personally don't like PvP games. I got excited when they had announced they were going to have a PvE campaign, but then they scrapped it, so I won't be getting this. I do hope they bring more stuff over. I play a lot of World of Warcraft through Lutris, but it would be nice to have that officially available on Steam, where most of my other games are. I been thinking about getting Diablo 4, but I haven't yet. That would be nice to see on Steam too.
Mountain Man Jul 20, 2023
Quoting: StalePopcornOoh, I'd love to uninstall the Battle.net client to play Diablo IV
I'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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