Celebrate Overwatch 2's third anniversary with nostalgic game modes, epic rewards, and exclusive skins, showcasing Blizzard’s dedication to community engagement and player rewards.
Blizzard's hero shooter is turning three years old, and they're celebrating in style! Overwatch 2 has launched its third anniversary event that's packed with nostalgic game modes and some seriously juicy rewards that have players rushing to log in. This celebration feels like a love letter to the community that has stuck with the game through its evolution.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Since replacing the original Overwatch on October 4, 2022, this sequel has had quite the journey. Despite what many would call a turbulent launch (remember those server queues? 😩), Overwatch 2 has bounced back impressively over the past year, hitting some record-breaking player numbers and engagement metrics.
The anniversary event, running until October 12, brings back a rotation of fan-favorite game modes each week:
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Week 1: Prop Hunt
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Week 2: Mirrorwatch
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Week 3: April Fools 2025
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Week 4: Junkenstein's Laboratory
What's particularly exciting is the return of Overwatch Classic rulesets from different years (2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020). As someone who has played since the original game, there's something deeply nostalgic about experiencing these older versions again. The 6v6 format of the 2016 ruleset takes me right back to those early days when everything felt fresh and chaotic in the best possible way!
Rewards Worth Fighting For
Let's talk about what everyone's really excited about—the rewards! Completing weekly challenges during this event will net players:
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3 Epic and Legendary Loot Boxes 📦
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The brand-new Vampire Regent Lifeweaver Legendary skin
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20 Mythic Prisms
That last reward deserves special attention. For the first time ever, players can earn Mythic Prisms completely free! These premium currency items have previously only been available through purchasing the Premium Battle Pass or direct microtransactions. This feels like Blizzard genuinely giving back to the community, and I'm here for it.
The Vampire Regent skin for Lifeweaver is absolutely stunning—the attention to detail on the gothic-inspired design with those blood-red accents against the dark fabric is chef's kiss perfect. It's easily one of the best Legendary skins released this year.
Double the Celebration
As if the anniversary goodies weren't enough, this celebration coincides with two other major events:
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Mid-Season 18 Update: Balance adjustments that have already shaken up the meta (Reinhardt mains, your time has come again!)
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Overwatch 2 x Persona 5 Collaboration: This crossover event brings Phantom Thief-themed skins for Wuyang, Mercy, Genji, Lifeweaver, and D.Va. The Stadium game mode featuring Tracer has been a particularly fun addition—fast-paced and perfect for showing off those quick reflexes.
The April Fools 2025 mode returning is particularly hilarious. Who could forget the ridiculous Reaper changes where his shotguns fired confetti instead of bullets? Or when every character's voice lines were replaced with Torbjörn impressions? Pure comedy gold.
Twitch Drops: The Cherry on Top
To round out this celebration cake, Blizzard has launched a new Twitch Drops campaign running through October 8. By watching Overwatch 2 streams for up to 13 hours, viewers can unlock:
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Adorable Wuyang cosmetics
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Normal and Epic Loot Boxes
The Wuyang items are particularly cute—that player icon with his surprised expression is absolutely priceless and has already become my new profile picture!
Looking Forward
With Blizzard already teasing "big plans for 2026," this anniversary feels like both a celebration of the past and a promise for the future. The developer seems to have found its footing after the initial rocky launch, delivering more consistent content and meaningful updates.
The return of these beloved game modes makes one wonder: what other classic experiences might make a comeback? And with 18 seasons already under its belt featuring numerous collaborations and limited-time events, how will Blizzard continue to innovate while honoring what players love about the franchise?
For a game that's had its share of ups and downs, this third anniversary shows that Overwatch 2 isn't just surviving—it's thriving. The combination of nostalgia, generous rewards, and exciting new content has created the perfect storm to bring back lapsed players and reward the faithful.
What's your favorite memory from Overwatch 2's first three years? And which classic game mode are you most excited to play again during this anniversary celebration? 🎮✨
Event Schedule Summary:
| Week | Featured Mode | Classic Ruleset |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prop Hunt | 2016 |
| 2 | Mirrorwatch | 2017 |
| 3 | April Fools 2025 | 2018 |
| 4 | Junkenstein's Laboratory | 2020 |