Blizzard, a company owned by Microsoft, has unexpectedly announced a new mobile game, "Overwatch Rush". This is not a port of the popular shooter, but a new, separate production in the top-down hero shooter genre, designed specifically for portable devices. The project was largely developed at Blizzard's development studio in Barcelona, highlighting the growing role of the European team.

New Spin-Off, Not a Port

Blizzard emphasizes that "Overwatch Rush" is a completely new game built from the ground up for mobile, not a port of the original PC title.

Top-Down Hero Shooter

The game changes the perspective from first- or third-person to a top-down (bird's-eye) view, offering different gameplay dynamics.

Development at the Barcelona Studio

The production was almost entirely developed at Blizzard's European studio in Barcelona, a significant success for the local team.

Context of Franchise Rebuilding

The premiere follows a period of reconstruction for the core "Overwatch" game, indicating a strategy of expanding the brand to new platforms.

Blizzard, the legendary American video game publisher, has unexpectedly presented "Overwatch Rush" to the world – the first full-fledged mobile game set in the universe of the popular hero shooter. As the company emphasizes, this is not a simple port of the existing PC and console production, but a completely new project designed specifically with the limitations and capabilities of smartphones and tablets in mind. The game will retain the shooter convention, but with a key change in perspective to the so-called top-down, or bird's-eye view. This means players will observe the action from above, not from the character's eye perspective, which could speed up the pace and simplify controls on touchscreens. The Overwatch franchise debuted in 2016 as an innovative team-based hero shooter, gaining immediate popularity and numerous awards. After years of success, the series encountered challenges related to the long-awaited but criticized for microtransactions sequel "Overwatch 2" and changes to the business model. Blizzard and Microsoft's strategy after the acquisition focuses on strengthening key brands and reaching a wider audience. Importantly, the development of "Overwatch Rush" was led primarily at Blizzard's European studio, which is based in Blizzard's Barcelona office. This confirms the growing role of this center within the corporate structure and is a signal of trust in local talent. The announcement, which appeared without an extensive prior marketing campaign, coincided with a period of rebuilding the image of the core game "Overwatch 2" following its controversial reboot and changes to the monetization system. The release of a mobile spin-off is a clear strategic move aimed at reaching the billion-player mobile device market, where competition in the hero shooter genre is growing. Details regarding mechanics, hero roster, release model (free-to-play or premium), and the exact release date have not yet been revealed.„„top-down hero shooter designed specifically for mobile set in the Overwatch universe”” — Blizzard's Statement