For years, if you happen to wished to play a Blizzard recreation on the PC, you had no alternative however to load up the Battle.web installer utility. Battle.web was even expanded to incorporate some main Activision video games after the businesses merged — it’s at present internet hosting a ton of Call of Duty video games and Crash Bandicoot 4. But it seems like Blizzard’s lengthy aversion to different recreation shops and platforms is about to finish. Starting in August, a minimum of some Blizzard video games can be out there to obtain on Steam, the de facto commonplace for PC gaming. Overwatch 2 will get the get together began.

Words have been lengthy and particulars have been scarce in a Blizzard blog post overlaying the information. Gamers will be capable to obtain the free-to-play Overwatch 2 via Steam’s system, however will nonetheless want a separate Battle.web account (along with a Steam account, after all). This setup mirrors lots of video games from bigger publishers on Steam, like Ubisoft and EA titles that require separate launchers and accounts even if you happen to purchase and obtain their video games by way of the Steam interface. It isn’t clear whether or not or not Overwatch gamers will want the Battle.web consumer put in as effectively, however the announcement says that Steam options like multiplayer buddies lists and achievements can be built-in into the sport.

Overwatch 2 has had a tough time recently. Initial pleasure over the quasi-sequel shortly waned after its shift to a full free-to-play setup left a sour taste in gamers’ mouths. It didn’t assist that Activision-Blizzard axed an expanded co-op mode, which was initially promoted as Overwatch 2‘s biggest content addition over the initial game. Recently the game’s eSports push, the Overwatch League, has seen devastating setbacks as Blizzard laid off fifty employees devoted to its administration. The firm is perhaps trying to broaden the sport’s enchantment by lastly showing on extra accessible marketplaces.

More Blizzard video games can be coming to Steam, although the announcement publish doesn’t say what or when. Given Overwatch 2‘s free-to-play setup, it seems possible that World of Warcraft and the card battler spinoff Hearthstone will make their way across at some point. Battle.net’s stand-alone launcher isn’t going anyplace in the intervening time. Activision video games are already that can be purchased and play on Steam.