*COUNTDOWN* Overwatch 2 release TIME - UK, US and other regions' launch times for OW2

Overwatch 2 will release today (October 4th, 2022) – with servers expected to go live in just a few hours.

The highly-anticipated sequel to 2016’s Overwatch, all eyes are now on the Overwatch 2 release time as fans prepare to get their hands on Blizzard’s PVP shooter.

The sequel, which suffered multiple delays in the run up to its release will bring with it six new maps, three new heroes, 30 new skins (including 1 Mythic skin), rewards and, of course, a brand new battle pass system. A new game mode will also be arriving – called Push.

NOW READ: Everything you need to know about Overwatch 2

While many regions will see Overwatch 2 arrive today (October 4th), some regions such as Sydney and Seoul, will have an October 5 Overwatch 2 release date.

Overwatch 2 is a Battle.net exclusive for PC users and is not on Steam. We also know there is expected to be server disruption over the next 24 hours as Blizzard prepares for launch.

You can keep an eye on the status on our Overwatch 2 server status page – which we’ll be updating throughout the anticipated down period.

Below, we detail exactly when you can play the game – so make sure you have it pre-loaded to avoid any delays getting online. We’ve broken it down by different regions, so it’s super clear when you’ll be able to play Overwatch 2.

Blizzard has published a map detailing the approximate time Overwatch 2 will go live, depending on what part of America you live in.

Encouragingly, gamers across the States will be able to play the game together with one seamless launch planned.

The times for players to enjoy Overwatch 2 in America are as follows:

• Alaska: 12pm PDT / 11 AKDT
• Los Angeles: 12pm PDT
• New York: 12pm PDT / ET
• Las Vegas: 12pm PDT
• Washington DC: 12PM PDT
• Texas: 12pm PDT / 2pm CT

Here’s when Overwatch 2 will launch in the UK:

• London: 8pm GMT

Here’s when Overwatch 2 fans will be able to play the game in France:

• Paris: 9pm CEST

The game will launch at the following time in Santos:

• Santos: 4pm BRT October 4

The game will launch at the below time in Seoul:

• Seoul 4am KST October 5

Gamers in Sydney will be able to play Overwatch 2 from:

• Sydney 6am AEDT October 5

The game will launch at the below time in Toyko:

• Tokyo: 4AM JST October 3

Overwatch 2 will be arriving on Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox Series S / Xbox Series X and PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 consoles. Remember, the PVE mode is not going to be available on launch as it being developed by a different team. There is no firm release date on this yet, although it is expected at the beginning of 2023.

Right now, you can pre-load the game on PC if you want immediate access on launch. Make sure you have 50GB of space available.

In order to pre load the game, you need to have owned Overwatch or have bought the Watchpoint Pack. Console players will be able to pre-load the game three hours before Overwatch 2 launches.

Inside of the Watchpoint Pack is bonus skins (including 7 Legendary and 5 Epic), a Premium battle pass, Overwatch Coins, a new hero, and access to the original Overwatch: Legendary Edition.

Crossplay and cross -progression is supported, while Overwatch account merging will ensure anything you unlocked in the original game – be that epic skins, mythic skins, rank, souvenirs and other additional cosmetic rewards – join you in the sequel, so will not need to be unlocked again.

Thousands of gamers are desperate to get hands on with Blizzard’s latest hero shooter after the latest beta closed in late July.

Many will be setting their sights on new character the Junker Queen again, after she was far and away the standout performer in the recent Overwatch 2 beta.

NOW READ: Overwatch 2 crossplay and cross-progression explained

She was so powerful, in fact, that Blizzard commented they had ‘likely overdone it a little bit with Queen’ – so expect some changes come launch. Sojourn was another favourite from the beta, boasting a win rate of just under 50 per cent.

To celebrate the launch of Overwatch 2, you can grab a Kiriko skin, via two Twitch drops.

You can find more information on how to grab Kiriko, one of the game’s many legendary skins, a Razor Sharp spray for Kiriko, and a Donut Weapon Charm on the official Blizzard website.

Blizzard is kicking off what they call Defense Matrix with Overwatch 2, to protect gamers from what they call ‘disruptive behavior‘.

As part of this, there is now an initiative called SMS Protect. Overwatch 2 now requires a phone number in order to launch the game. A phone number can only be attached to one Battle.net Account.

To add your phone number, simply:

• Head into your Battle.net account and click ‘Account Details’
• You’ll then find Phone Number and be able to add it there

You can also set up notifications via Battle.net to:

• Get a text message if your account is locked by a suspicious login attempt
• Know immediately if your password has been changed
• Be alerted when security features are changed on your account

Elsewhere, Blizzard will use machine learning to monitor and protect the game from cheaters. “Our detection methods leverage multiple systems, including your in-game reports, to identify behavior that drives down the quality of the in-game experience. We’re expanding our detection capabilities by introducing audio transcriptions in the following weeks after launch,” they write on their website.

When the original game was released in 2016, Blizzard let retailers sell physical copies of the game a day before launch. This was so it gave them time to prepare the servers ahead of the full launch.

This time around, as the game is digital only – and free – there is no such strategy.

Is Overwatch 2 confirmed?

Yes! The game is out on October 4 in North America and Europe. Gamers in Eastern Asia and Oceania can play from October 5.

Will Overwatch 2 be free?

Overwatch 2 will be free-to-play, however, there will be some paid-for elements. For example, gamers will be able to purchase a battle pass – in both standard and premium form. The original Overwatch, which launched in 2016, was originally a paid-for game, before going free-to-play.

Will Overwatch 1 shut down?

Yes, Overwatch 1 will shut down and will be replaced with the new version of the game, Overwatch 2, on October 4.