Watch these streamers to get into the Overwatch 2 beta

It’s here. It’s finally, really here. We’ve now got our hands on the Overwatch 2 beta, just over 900 days since the hero-based first-person shooter sequel was announced. It’s been a long wait for those of us who have been clamoring for substantial new content – ​​no new heroes have been released in the last two years, and balance updates have been rare.

As a result, players are eyeing the Overwatch 2 beta to bring the franchise back to life. And on Wednesday you can win guaranteed access.

The game was first announced at BlizzCon 2019, but game news has been hard to come by. Admittedly, since then there has been a pandemic, a major trial on corporate culturewithout forgetting the Microsoft further expands games and Xbox by buying Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. But fans past and present have been ravenous for more previews of the upcoming sequel.

Today we satisfy that hunger. Here’s everything you need to know about the Overwatch 2 beta.

How do I get the Overwatch 2 beta?

You may have already obtained beta access by signing up for the beta selection process on the official Overwatch website. If you’ve been selected, you should receive an email from Blizzard with instructions for accessing the beta.

If you weren’t selected, don’t panic – Blizzard has listed a few hundred streamers whose Twitch streams will drop beta access today. Note that beta access will only be distributed to people who watch for four hours between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT (1 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, April 27 — today. That means you have an eight-hour window to watch four hours of Overwatch 2 streams if you want to access them.

Make sure your Blizzard account is connected to your Twitch account and that you are logged into Twitch while watching. To connect your Blizzard and Twitch accounts, follow these steps.

1. Go to twitch.tv on a desktop browser and sign in to your account.

2. Click on your profile picture and go to Settings > Connections.

3. Under Blizzard Battle.net, click Relate.

4. Enter your Battle.net username and password, then click To permit

Once logged in, you should see a green check mark next to your Battle.net ID and you will be eligible for the Overwatch 2 betas.

If you miss the stream drops, look for future beta tests.

What streamers should I watch?

Blizzard says watching any of the designated streams for a cumulative four hours will give you guaranteed beta access. So if your favorite streamer is on this list, check it out for at least four hours between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT.

Otherwise, here are some recommendations if you’re looking for something more specific. Note that players will likely try out new heroes and generally approach the beta experimentally, so past history does not guarantee that anyone will stream a specific character. And some of the former pros mentioned here are from South Korea and France, so they might not be streaming in English. But they’re great places to turn if you’re looking to see how these heroes perform in experienced hands.

I want to see the edits.

• Dark: FitzyHere is a long-time core Sombra player and likely to play a lot of Sombra in the beta.
• Doom Fist: GetQuakedOn is a mainline Doomfist and a good streamer to check out if you want to see how Doomfist performs in his new tank role.
• Orisa: There aren’t many players known specifically for their Orisa game, but Eviltoaster has brought creative approaches to the hero and has already played it in the beta.

I want to see the pros play.

• Tank: Super is a two-time Overwatch League champion, famous for his assertive Reinhardt. Geguri, the league’s No. 1 player, was discovered for her stellar play by Zarya.
• Damage (DPS): Jake, a former professional player and current Overwatch League coach will be streaming, presumably on his signature Junkrat. Saebyeolbe was one of the best damage players in the Overwatch League’s first season, especially on Tracer. Surefour is another player from the league’s inaugural season, best known for his goal with heroes like Cassidy and Widowmaker.
• Support: Ryujehong was an early support star, even before the Overwatch League, known for his precise mechanics on Ana. FDGod is famous in the pro community for its aggressive Lucio gameplay.

When is the Overwatch 2 beta release date?

The beta opened at 11:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, April 26 and will run until Tuesday, May 17. Blizzard will grant access throughout the beta, so if you don’t get in on Day 1, keep an eye on your email over the next few weeks – you might get access later.

How to download the Overwatch 2 beta?

First, you’ll need a copy of Overwatch to access the beta. If you don’t already have one, Blizzard said players invited to the beta will be able to download a free trial of Overwatch. From there, you’re just a few steps away from downloading the beta:

1. Log in to your Battle.net account and navigate to Overwatch on the game launcher.

2. At the bottom left, click the Game version scrolling menu.

3. To select Overwatch 2 Technical Beta to install.

4. When the download is complete, press the blue Cheek button to start.

Is Overwatch 2 beta PC only?

Sorry, console gamers, the first Overwatch 2 beta is exclusive to PC. However, Blizzard said future betas will include consoles.

What’s in the Overwatch 2 beta?

The beta is our first chance to experience the new 5v5 gameplay, featuring one tank, two damage heroes, and two supports. It’s also the debut of Sojourn, the new railgun-wielding damage hero and Overwatch’s first black female character. Players will be able to try out the new push game mode on Rome and Toronto maps, and new payload maps like Circuit Royale and Midtown.

In addition to new content, the Overwatch 2 beta will feature reworks of past Overwatch heroes. For example, Sombra gets new hack and EMP mechanics, Orisa swaps her deployable shield for a javelin, and Doomfist is moved from the damage category to tanking.

What is notably not in the beta of Overwatch 2: the assault maps. The much-maligned game mode has been removed from the sequel. Sayonara, Hanamura.

And that’s all! Remember that this is a test build, so not everything will be polished, not everything will be included, and not all changes made in the beta will be final. Good luck to everyone who hopes to get access to it, and may the beta be even better than we hoped.