Blizzard could be ready for a shift, and it's not a new hero or event — it's the name itself.
Recent leaks and community chatter suggest that Overwatch 2 may soon drop the "2" from its title. If that's the case, the game would go back to "Overwatch," and fans are definitely talking.
The rumors started after data miners noticed odd changes in Overwatch 2's Season 16 files. The original game's skins are now tagged as "Classic," while the sequel's skins are rebranded as "Valorous."
After seeing the updated tags on the leaked Season 16 main menu, players think Blizzard is moving from the Overwatch 2 identity to a more unified, single-title approach.
The original leak came from Twitter user Ska'Vorah (shoutout to EuroGamer for the spot), who shared images revealing the updated UI and skin tags.
From there, the theory went wild. This wouldn't be the first time Blizzard has blurred the lines between Overwatch 1 and 2. The sequel launched in late 2022, but rather than being its own experience, it absorbed the original game.
The original Overwatch servers were shut down right before Overwatch 2's open beta, pushing players to switch to the sequel. Overwatch 2 kept much of the same look and feel, including the maps, modes, and many mechanics, despite shifting to a free-to-play model and a controversial monetization system.
That's partly why the sequel's identity has always been up for debate. With the scrapping of long-promised PvE content and the return of loot boxes, many fans feel the '2' didn't quite live up to the expectations of a true sequel.
Even the switch from 6v6 to 5v5 didn't entirely give people the fresh start they were hoping for. Overwatch 2 often feels like a major update to the original, and this rumored name change reflects that.
In the past, Blizzard has adjusted its IP, even renaming characters because of real-world controversies. Blizzard dropping the "2" from Overwatch might be their way of cleaning up the brand and moving past some old baggage.
It could also set up a live-service future instead of going for another full sequel. Blizzard hasn't confirmed anything yet, so the potential name-drop is still just a maybe.
But with skin classification updates, a major anime collaboration on the horizon (hello, Gundam), and Season 16 reportedly being one of the most ambitious yet, it's clear Blizzard is making significant changes.
Rebranding or not, it looks like the Overwatch 2 label might not stick around much longer.