Overview of 6v6 Open Queue in Overwatch 2 Season 16
- Season 16 will retain the 6v6 Open Queue mode following Season 15’s favorable reception.
- The 6v6 Competitive mode enjoyed significant popularity, reflected in a 3:1 player preference for 5v5 over 6v6 matches.
- The goal for Season 16 is to analyze how both formats might coexist moving forward.
Overwatch 2 has confirmed the continuation of the 6v6 Open Queue mode into Season 16, succeeding a successful run in Season 15. While Blizzard has yet to make an official declaration, indications suggest a potential for both 5v5 and 6v6 formats to coexist in future seasons.
The shift from six to five players a team was a notable alteration from Overwatch 1 to Overwatch 2. This change sparked considerable debate among players and community members, leading the developers to reintroduce 6v6 gameplay options. The experiments kicked off in Season 14 with temporary modes, and the overwhelming player support resulted in the 6v6 Open Queue being included throughout Season 15, adhering to a two-tank cap per team.
As Season 15 wraps up, it appears that the 6v6 mode will remain a staple. In a recent Director’s Take blog, Alec Dawson, the associate game director for Overwatch 2, affirmed that the 6v6 Open Queue would persist for the entirety of Season 16 in both Quick Play and Competitive formats, keeping the same two-tank limitation from Season 15. This allows players to enjoy 6v6 gameplay alongside the traditional 5v5 Role Queue for an extended period.
Insights into 6v6 Open Queue for Season 16
Dawson highlighted that Competitive 6v6 Open Queue ranked as the third most favored mode during Season 15, only outpaced by the Totally Normalwatch April Fools’ mode. The statistics indicated a consistent 3:1 ratio of players choosing 5v5 over 6v6, yet a notable segment showed preference for larger team sizes. Queue times for matches remained favorable, and interestingly, most participating 6v6 teams adopted the classic 2-2-2 role distribution, even when not enforced by Role Queue.
Looking ahead, Dawson expressed optimism that insights gathered during Season 16 could facilitate a clearer understanding of how both gameplay styles may integrate cohesively in Overwatch 2’s future. While not officially confirmed, the community might soon see the announcement of an enduring 6v6 game mode based on these findings.
Season 16 of Overwatch 2 is set to commence on April 22, introducing Freja, the new damage hero with impressive agility. This update will also bring adjustments to various Perks, enhancing gameplay dynamics and ensuring that players encounter diverse strategies in their matches.