Nexon Signs New Deal with Blizzard: Overwatch Mobile Still in Play

The prospect of Overwatch coming to mobile has long been considered a distant dream, particularly following Jason Schreier's revelations in his book about Blizzard's shelved mobile project. However, a fresh deal between Korean developer Nexon and Blizzard could breathe new life into these hopes.

The primary focus of this agreement centers on securing the publishing and development rights for a new installment in the legendary StarCraft RTS series. The competition was intense, with other contenders like Krafton and Netmarble also showing interest. Should the deal be finalized, Nexon will take the helm in driving the future of the StarCraft franchise.

Yet, the most surprising and intriguing aspect of this deal is the reported inclusion of publishing rights for an Overwatch mobile project. This development suggests that the mobile version of Overwatch is far from dead and hints at the potential for an official sequel, possibly in the form of a MOBA.

This wouldn't mark the first time Overwatch has ventured into the MOBA genre, as fans may recall Blizzard's previous efforts with Heroes of the Storm. It's conceivable that Heroes of the Storm could make its way to mobile, and this might be the essence of the proposed Overwatch MOBA.

Alternatively, a spin-off release is equally plausible. However, the notion of this being an 'Overwatch 3' can be safely dismissed, as it would represent a significant departure from the franchise's traditional console and PC focus.

Embracing a MOBA format could prove advantageous for Overwatch, especially with new competitors like Marvel Rivals emerging. This might be the perfect time for Blizzard and their publishing partners to take bold steps to revitalize this once-promising franchise.