“Overwatch Overtakes Call of Duty and Battlefield 6 Sales”
Overwatch has recently made significant strides in the gaming market, overtaking both Call of Duty and Battlefield 6 in Steam sales. This surge coincided with the announcement of its latest seasonal update, which is set for release soon.
Key Developments in Overwatch
Originally launched in 2016, Overwatch underwent a transformation when it rebranded as Overwatch 2 and adopted a free-to-play model. Although fans anticipated a co-op story mode, its potential was not fully realized, leading to dissatisfaction and a decline in player engagement over the years.
Rebranding and New Features
Recently, Blizzard Entertainment has embraced a fresh approach by removing the “2” from the title and initiating a year-long event called the Reign of Talon. This initiative includes:
- A new third-person Stadium mode
- Five new heroes featuring the viral support character, Jetpack Cat Fika
- Additional content such as comics and animated shorts to enhance the game’s lore
The Reign of Talon Season 1 is scheduled to launch on February 10, 2026, and has already generated substantial excitement among players. The introduction of Jetpack Cat, who offers unique abilities like permanent flight and healing, has garnered significant attention.
Sales Achievement and Player Engagement
As interest in Overwatch has skyrocketed, the game surpassed both Call of Duty and Battlefield 6 in Steam’s sales rankings, marking its highest concurrent player count on the platform in years. This noteworthy achievement occurs before the season’s official start, indicating a strong revival in player interest.
Although the majority of Overwatch players typically engage through Blizzard’s Battle.net platform, the recent Steam statistics highlight a notable resurgence in its appeal, especially compared to Battlefield 6, which dominated sales in 2025.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite these accomplishments, Overwatch has a complex history on Steam. The game initially faced backlash due to negative reviews tied to canceled features. Currently, it holds “Mostly Negative” reviews on the platform, largely influenced by concerns surrounding Blizzard’s business practices and working conditions.
With the studio transitioning under Microsoft’s umbrella and led by Johanna Faries, there is cautious optimism about its future. As Blizzard approaches its milestone 25th anniversary, the community remains hopeful that changes will lead to a revitalized gaming experience.
The upcoming BlizzCon 2026 is anticipated with great interest. Overwatch’s resurgence signifies a turning point for the title, setting the stage for exciting developments in the coming months.
