How to get into the Overwatch 2 beta

Overwatch 2‘s PvP beta begins on Tuesday, April 26. It’s a closed beta, which means players get in by invitation only, and they’ve been signing up for access since March 10. If you still haven’t received yours yet, Blizzard is still accepting requests ,.

The beta test is the first stage of what will be a multi-step launch for the sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s 2016 hero shooter. Blizzard announced last month that the game would be “decoupling” its PvP, and the first ever PvE modes to make it more accessible for players.

Though Overwatch 2, announced at BlizzCon 2019, still has no launch date or window, parent company Activision told investors back in November that the game was planned for a later-than-expected launch.

In any case, Tuesday is the day many will finally get to taste this much-anticipated sequel. Here are some :

expectations

When will Overwatch 2 beta emails go out?

An FAQ posted Monday afternoon said beta emails will be sent beginning at 11 a.m. PDT on Tuesday. “While players selected initially should all receive access on the first day, we may extend invitations to more players at later periods in this test,” Blizzard says.

Appearing on Twitch content creator Flats’ stream on Thursday, Overwatch community manager Andy Belford told fans that Blizzard will be sending out invitations in a gradual process, too.

Can I still sign up for a beta invite?

The beta page on Overwatch’s official website was still taking opt-in requests as of Monday afternoon, so, why not? A Battle.net account is required.

In an FAQ posted on Thursday, Blizzard said that beta testers will be chosen “based on a variety of factors,” including “when you signed up.” So even though this is called an opt-in, there is no guarantee that requests will be granted, even now.

If you’re reading this and you didn’t make the opt-in cutoff, or didn’t get an invitation, Blizzard will be doling out access under a Twitch Drops promotion with several featured streamers during the beta period, beginning April 27 at 10 a.m. PDT. You will receive Twitch Drops if you watch any channel participating for at least four hours. The FAQ lists all participating streamers.

Image: Blizzard Entertainment

How will I access the beta?

The first closed beta is a Windows PC-only test and players will need to own a copy of Overwatch on PC to participate. They’ll access the Overwatch 2 beta client through Battle.net — which can report PC specifications back to Blizzard. When sending invitations, Blizzard evaluates PC specifications.

How long will the beta run?

The beta will run from April 26 at 11 a.m. PDT (2 p.m. EDT) through May 17, with time and date subject to change, Blizzard said. Additionally, players may stream their gameplay.

What will players see in the Overwatch 2 beta?

Sojourn, for starters. She is the newest hero joining the Overwatch canon. Sojourn is the first playable Black woman on the game’s roster, and she packs a railgun with both rapid-fire and charged-fire capabilities. Her Overclock ultimate keeps her weapon auto-charged for a short duration, and charged up shots will go through multiple enemies.

Players also will see a new ping system for calling out tactical items, areas and areas. Reworks of Orisa and Doomfist and Bastion as well as four maps: Circuit Royale, Midtown and Toronto (Sojourn from Canada). Maps from the first Overwatch will also be playable.

A new playlist called “Push”, will be available in beta. Push takes place on symmetrical maps (Toronto and Rome in this case) and features a robot, in a central location, that players will push toward the enemy team’s base. The team that pushes the robot furthest at the match’s end wins.

Overwatch 2‘s public beta will also show what 5v5 games look and play like. The original game involves two teams of six only.

Will there be another beta?

“Yes. We are planning more tests than this initial PvP Beta,” Blizzard stated on Monday.