Exploring Overwatch 2: The Possibility of 7v7 Matches and the Return of 6v6 Teams

The original Overwatch almost featured teams of seven players instead of the five or six we’re familiar with today. Although the developers initially decided that 7v7 matches were too chaotic, this larger team format might be revisited in the future.

In a recent episode of the Group Up! podcast, Overwatch 2 content creators SVB and Flats interviewed game director Aaron Keller and lead hero designer Alec Dawson. A significant topic of discussion was the 6v6 team composition, as Keller confirmed that Overwatch 2 plans to test the potential return of six-player teams.

During the interview, Keller mentioned that early testing of the original Overwatch involved teams of seven players instead of six. Feedback at the time suggested that players felt overwhelmed, as if "being attacked from everywhere at the same time," resulting in chaotic matches. However, Keller noted, "the right decisions could change over time. So, like, hey, maybe that’s something you revisit, right?" This suggests that Overwatch 2 might consider testing 7v7 matches in the future.

Overwatch Almost Had 7v7

Team size has been a hot topic in Overwatch 2. A significant change from Overwatch to Overwatch 2 was the removal of the second tank hero spot, shifting the game from 6v6 to 5v5. This change increased the pressure on tanks and made it challenging to balance them without making them overpowered or too easy to ignore. Keller recently addressed this issue and revealed that Overwatch 2 plans to conduct various game tests in the future, which could include the return of 6v6 in some form.

Fans are excited about the potential return of 6v6 in Overwatch 2, but they have mixed feelings about 7v7. While larger matches could offer intense gameplay and distribute responsibilities more evenly across a team, having 14 heroes in a single game might be overwhelming. Regardless of whether fans are intrigued or apprehensive, many are curious about how a 7v7 match would play out in Overwatch 2.

The debate over changing the 5v5 format is likely to continue, but it's encouraging to see Overwatch 2 exploring its options in response to player feedback. Fans can anticipate new experiments in Overwatch 2 when Season 12 begins on August 20.