Season 18 is expected to showcase the start of Blizzard's broader vision, with major updates that will extend beyond gameplay into the overall Overwatch universe.

Keller highlighted the success of Season 15, which introduced the Perks system, as a benchmark for future updates, with ambitions for Season 18 to be even more impactful.

The team is also reassessing their storytelling approach, acknowledging past shortcomings and hinting at new cinematic content or animated shorts to improve narrative delivery.

Despite past setbacks in storytelling and PvE content, the team is actively exploring new ways to deliver compelling narratives, including animated shorts or series, to enhance the game's lore.

Blizzard is teasing major updates for Overwatch 2 in 2026, with plans to significantly expand the game's universe and systems, starting with Season 18 in the latter half of 2025.

Game director Aaron Keller emphasized that Season 18 will mark the beginning of these enhancements, which are expected to introduce a lot of exciting new content for the franchise.

Overwatch 2 has already seen successful updates in 2025, including the Perks system, Stadium game mode, Hero Bans, and Map Voting, all aimed at boosting player engagement and strategic depth.

Alec Dawson, associate game director, stated that the team remains committed to pushing boundaries and not resting on their laurels after the successes of Seasons 15 and 16.

During a Twitch stream, Keller described Season 18 as a pivotal period that will introduce significant content and expand the game's narrative and universe.

Looking ahead to 2026, Blizzard has plans for major innovations, including potential new media projects like a mobile Overwatch game, to expand the franchise's reach.

Keller indicated that the action and development will ramp up starting in the second half of 2025, with Season 18 serving as a launchpad for these ambitious plans.

Overall, Blizzard aims for 2026 to be a transformative year for Overwatch 2, building on the successes of 2025 and introducing new content that will redefine the player experience.