Overwatch 2 Director Calls Hero Bans an ‘Obvious’ Decision for the Game

Overview

Overwatch 2 is set to implement a hero ban system in Competitive Play matches, responding to community demands.
Players will have the ability to ban three heroes each, with the top four bans determining the restrictions for the match.
Excitement is building in the Overwatch 2 community for the introduction of hero bans in Season 16, alongside features like map voting, a perk system, and Stadium mode.

Blizzard Entertainment is gearing up to enhance the Overwatch 2 experience with new features, notably a hero ban system designed for Competitive Play matches. In a recent discussion, the director of Overwatch 2 revealed insights on this anticipated feature, describing it as a natural evolution for the game.

Director Aaron Keller elaborated on how the hero ban system will function, noting that players will each have three slots to designate heroes for banning based on a priority system. After all ten players submit their bans, the four heroes receiving the highest number of votes will be excluded from play. The announcement of this feature coming in Season 16 was met with enthusiasm, reflecting a significant shift in the community’s expectations and the game’s competitive landscape.

In a conversation with Games Radar, Keller suggested that the introduction of hero bans was regarded as an “obvious inclusion” by the development team. He noted that while the feature had been a topic of debate over the years, a prototype was finally developed two years ago. Although initial plans aimed for a rollout in 2025, internal discussions revealed mixed feelings among players regarding the potential impact on those who mainly focus on specific characters.

The Emergence of Hero Bans in Hero-Based Shooters

The concept of character bans has gained traction within the gaming community, particularly among players of titles like Rainbow Six Siege, where teams can exclude one operator from play. Following this trend, Marvel Rivals not only introduced such a system but also highlighted Overwatch 2’s initial absence of a comparable feature. Moreover, Apex Legends recently followed suit by announcing the inclusion of Legend bans in its upcoming season.

This surge of developments signifies a broader transition within the hero shooter genre, as leading titles adopt features that fans have long advocated for. Additionally, Overwatch 2 plans to implement a much-desired map voting system, aimed at giving players greater influence over match environments. The introduction of a perk system and a new Stadium mode has further been welcomed, with players feeling optimistic that Overwatch 2 is progressing towards fulfilling its potential as a genuine sequel.

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