Latest Developer Update Reveals Two New Overwatch Heroes Are In The Works, And New Maps

According to Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan two new Overwatch heroes are in the works and a number of new maps are also being developed.

One of the new heroes is currently being playtested internally at Blizzard and "will be seeing the light of day sooner rather than later." Is it Sombra? Sombra has been hinted at for quite a while, and there are plenty of YouTube videos putting together pieces of the enigma that is Sombra. We'll have to wait and see.

Another unnamed hero is currently in development but exists as just a prototype. But Kaplan says the team is happy with the hero's progress so far and the unnamed contender will likely be ready next year.

Many maps are also in development. One of which is far enough along that it is currently being playtested (and is for an existing game mode). Another map, also for a current game mode, is currently just a prototype, and may or many not make its way into the game.

There are four developer-exclusive being tested as part of a new game mode. We've got no info about the game mode, or what the maps look like. It's unlikely each map will make it past the experimental stage. But it is interesting to hear that Blizzard is toying with new ways to play Overwatch.

Kaplan also said the team is looking at changing up Symmetra, but the types of changes will take longer than simply making adjustments to the way she is currently played. I hope to see Symmetra become a viable hero.

Widowmaker's scope speed has been increased (currently on the PTR), and Genji will no longer be able to dash through Junkrat's trap. I'm happy with anything that hurts Genji. Also, Junkrat's ultimate activation time is being sped up—watch out for those tires.

You can watch the full developer update video with Jeff Kaplan below.