Nexon and Blizzard ink deal: Overwatch Mobile on the horizon?

The prospect of Overwatch making its way to mobile devices has long been considered a distant dream, especially after Jason Schreier's insightful book on Blizzard hinted that a mobile version had been shelved. However, a recent deal between Korean developer Nexon and Blizzard could reignite this possibility.

The core of the agreement centers on the publishing and development rights for a new installment in the renowned StarCraft RTS franchise. The competition for these rights was intense, with other companies like Krafton and Netmarble reportedly in the running. Should this deal be confirmed, Nexon would take the helm for future entries in the series.

Yet, the most intriguing aspect of the bidding involves the publishing rights for Overwatch on mobile. This development suggests that the mobile version is far from dead and could potentially evolve into an official sequel in the form of a MOBA.

This wouldn't mark the first foray of Overwatch into the MOBA genre; recall Blizzard's earlier push with Heroes of the Storm. It's plausible that Heroes of the Storm could see a mobile release, which might be what the proposed Overwatch MOBA entails.

Alternatively, we might see a spin-off release. However, the notion of this being labeled as 'Overwatch 3' can be safely dismissed, as it would represent a significant shift for a franchise traditionally focused on console and PC platforms.

Embracing the MOBA genre could prove advantageous for Overwatch, especially with new competitors like Marvel Rivals poised to capture the market. This might be the critical moment for Blizzard and their publishing partners to take bold steps to rejuvenate this once-thriving franchise.