Overwatch 2 Updates Stadium Matchmaking and Rewards System

Oh boy, here we go. So, Overwatch 2 decided to shake things up a bit recently. And when I say recently, I mean like, right now, under our noses. They’re doing this thing where they’re tweaking stuff to make queue times in Stadium a little less of a snooze fest. I swear, waiting in those queues is like watching paint dry. Anyway, no official patch notes — just poof, changes live in the game. Sneaky, right?

Stadium, if you don’t know, is the hot new mode where you can unleash your inner gamer beast. It’s like a mini soap opera with seven intense rounds. You get to pick out Powers and buy Items to boost your hero. The drama of it all! And since it landed, three new heroes strutted into the Overwatch scene during Season 17. Fun times!

So, picture this — Overwatch 2 drops another bombshell about more tweaks to Stadium. I was scrolling Twitter, as you do, and boom! There’s Aaron Keller — the guy running the Overwatch 2 show — chirping about it. Apparently, queue times are going to be faster now, but here’s the catch: you’ll be playing with folks who might not be in your skill level. Eh, swings and roundabouts, I guess. But hey, they’re boosting the Skill Bonus for victories, so at least there’s that shiny carrot dangling.

Now, why’s that Skill Bonus thing a big deal? Well, ranks in Stadium got a total reset in Season 17. So, yeah, this is a chance for skilled peeps to rise to their rightful throne, saving us mere mortals from getting our butts royally kicked by the pro gamers. However, the tweaks to matchmaking? Total baby steps. Especially if you’re a support player. Those long waits are real, folks. Some players are twiddling their thumbs for seven minutes or more. At this point, you could, like, brew a tea, maybe two.

Hold up, but wait, there’s more — Season 18 is bringing in an Unranked mode for Stadium. It’s shorter, just five rounds, and there’s crossplay, which seems cool. But honestly, don’t hold your breath about it magically fixing Ranked Stadium queues. It’s like trying to fix a leaky ship with bubble gum.

So, what’s in the future for Overwatch 2? No crystal ball here, but fingers crossed they keep tweaking things for the better. And there you have it — a chaotic ride through Overwatch 2’s Stadium shenanigans. Now, let’s see what they come up with next.