Many fans of Overwatch 2 may not be aware that Activision Blizzard was in the process of developing a series in partnership with Netflix. Unfortunately, this anticipated series is now officially canceled. The reasons behind this decision have not been fully disclosed, but various speculations are circulating in the gaming community.
The most surprising aspect is that fans were on the brink of receiving an Overwatch 2 series, whether in an animated format or as a live-action production.
Reasons Behind the Cancellation of the Overwatch 2 Netflix Series
In a recent Reddit post by industry insider Jason Schreier, it was disclosed that Blizzard aimed to expand its well-known franchises, including Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo, into multiple series for Netflix back in 2020. However, shortly thereafter, a lawsuit involving the two companies put a halt to these plans.
In 2020, Activision Blizzard initiated legal action against Netflix for allegedly poaching employees, specifically targeting their then-CFO who was still under contract. Although this lawsuit wasn’t directly related to the development of the Overwatch 2 series, it poisoned the relationship between the gaming giant and the streaming service.
As a result, the series was never officially announced, and its cancellation left many fans disheartened. The revelation of the series’ existence and subsequent cancellation has sparked discussions and lament among the dedicated community.
This entire situation is elaborated upon in Jason Schreier’s book PLAY NICE: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, which also reveals several intriguing insights about Blizzard’s history, including:
- Blizzard was briefly acquired by a company named Cendant
- Although StarCraft II performed well commercially, it still fell short of the company’s projections
- Details surrounding Activision’s corporate takeover of Blizzard
While the Overwatch 2 Netflix series will not come to fruition, fans can take solace in the fact that Blizzard attempted to extend the lore of its beloved games to a broader audience through various media.
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