Overwatch 2 Will Replace the Original Game at Launch - IGN - IGN

During a Reddit AMA, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller confirmed that the upcoming Overwatch sequel will replace the original live service when the game launches in October.

Instead, players who try to play Overwatch will be prompted to update to Overwatch 2.

When the sequel was originally announced back in August last year, Blizzard claimed that Overwatch and Overwatch 2 players would be able to play side-by-side when playing the same game modes.

The original plan allowed Overwatch players to play on the brand-new Overwatch 2 maps and as the new heroes.