Overwatch 2's crossplay aim assist revival, a monumental update for console players, finally balances the competitive field against PC opponents by enabling this crucial feature in all non-competitive modes, ending years of divisive gameplay disparity.
As a dedicated Overwatch player since day one, I'm thrilled to report that Blizzard has finally seen the light! After years of controversy, crossplay aim assist between console and PC players is making a comeback in Overwatch 2, enabled in all match types except competitive matches. This is absolutely huge news for the community that's been divided far too long. It's about damn time they leveled the playing field a bit - or as we say in gaming circles, they finally decided to stop nerfing console players into oblivion!
The Aim Assist Saga
Let me break it down for you. Previously, Blizzard had completely disabled aim assist for console players when matched against PC players in crossplay games. Talk about throwing us console players under the bus! This decision put us at a serious disadvantage and made playing with PC friends about as fun as trying to hit Pharah with Reinhardt's hammer while blindfolded.
PC players already have the massive advantage of using mouse and keyboard - which, let's face it, is like bringing a gun to a knife fight in any FPS. The mouse offers precision that even the most skilled controller player simply can't match without some assistance. It was a real 'git gud' moment from Blizzard that didn't land well with the community.
The Complicated Crossplay System
The whole crossplay situation in Overwatch 2 has been more convoluted than Sombra's backstory. Console players couldn't freely match with PC players unless they specifically teamed up with PC friends - and even then, they'd get thrown into the PC matchmaking pool without their precious aim assist. Talk about a raw deal!
This meant that if you were a console player with PC friends, you were essentially sacrificing your own gameplay experience just to hang out with them. Not exactly what I'd call a win-win situation. As my PC friends would say: "That's a big OOF."
Meanwhile, PC players have always been able to play with other PC users regardless of input method. So someone using a controller on PC still got matched against mouse and keyboard players, but maintained their aim assist. Make it make sense, Blizzard!
Queue Times and Crossplay Confusion
One of the most bizarre aspects of this whole debacle was Blizzard's claim that queue times actually improved when disabling crossplay and sticking to your own console ecosystem. This defies the entire logic behind crossplay, which is supposed to create larger player pools and reduce waiting times.
In a strange twist, Game Director Aaron Keller revealed last year that while console players could opt out of crossplay (and were encouraged to do so because of those mysterious better queue times), PC players were locked into the system with no opt-out available. He never explained why, leading to speculation throughout the community. Was it to ensure PC players always had matches? To prevent PC players from avoiding console aim assist? The mystery remains unsolved.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
Now in 2026, with this change finally implemented, the Overwatch 2 ecosystem feels more unified than ever. Console players can now enjoy games with their PC friends without feeling like they're fighting with one hand tied behind their backs. It's a classic case of "better late than never," though many would argue this should have been the case from day one.
Here's what the crossplay experience looks like now:
| Player Type | Aim Assist Status | Can Play With | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Console (solo) | Enabled | Console only | Best queue times |
| Console (with PC friends) | Enabled (except in comp) | PC and console | Finally balanced! |
| PC (mouse & keyboard) | N/A | Everyone | Still has precision advantage |
| PC (controller) | Enabled | Everyone | Has always had aim assist |
The Community Response
The community reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Console players are celebrating like they just got a team kill with D.Va's ultimate. Comments across forums and social media include:
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"Finally Blizzard remembered we exist! 😍"
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"Took them long enough to realize controllers need aim assist against mouse players"
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"Now I can actually play with my PC friends without getting absolutely destroyed"
Looking Forward
This change represents Blizzard's growing understanding that true crossplay means creating fair conditions across platforms. While competitive mode still disables aim assist for console players (which makes sense for the integrity of ranked play), casual modes should be about fun and accessibility.
As a player who bounces between platforms, I'm personally thrilled with this change. It means I can now pick up my controller when I want to relax on the couch without feeling like I'm throwing the game for my team. That's what we in the business call a "poggers moment."
In conclusion, while Blizzard took the scenic route to get here, they've finally made the right call. The Overwatch community is stronger when we can all play together on relatively equal footing. Now if they could just fix Doomfist's balance issues, we'd really be talking! But that's a rant for another day...