Blizzard has announced that Overwatch Rush, the top down spin off of its popular hero shooter, will begin its soft launch on August 31, 2026, bringing new content and gameplay changes ahead of a wider rollout.

The soft launch will start first in Indonesia, with Malaysia and the Philippines following in the days after. According to Blizzard, this phase is meant to let the team continue testing, learning, and optimizing the game based on real player feedback before considering further expansion.

New Heroes and Progression

One of the biggest additions is a new progression system called Hero Levels. Players will earn currencies through gameplay that can be spent to level up specific heroes, giving them more say in how their roster grows and allowing room to experiment with different loadouts.

The hero lineup is also getting updates. Brigitte joins as a new Vanguard hero, redesigned for Overwatch Rush’s top down gameplay with a mix of frontline durability and close range aggression. Lúcio has been reworked as well, with his abilities adjusted to feel closer to his original Overwatch identity, including the ability to use his speed and healing boosts at the same time. Alongside these two, soft launch players will also have access to Tracer, Reinhardt, Soldier: 76, Reaper, Kiriko, Pharah, and Mercy.

New Maps and Modes

Three new maps are being added too. Narwhal Cove is set in Gibraltar, Hydronet Gardens takes place in Cairo, and Mansión Portero is based in Dorado. While all three pull from existing Overwatch locations, Blizzard says they were built specifically for Overwatch Rush’s top down perspective, with their own layouts and landmarks.

New ways to play are also part of this update. Duo Free for All introduces the game’s first multi team format, where three duos face off against each other. There’s also 3v3 Control, a smaller scale take on the series’ classic objective based mode.

Gameplay Improvements and Bundles

On top of new content, the update includes several gameplay changes based on player feedback. These include a redesigned tutorial meant to help new players learn the basics more easily, an aim assist toggle for extra control, a simple “Group Up” ping to help coordinate with teammates, and new tracking indicators for allies’ health and ultimate readiness during matches.

Two optional bundles are also being introduced alongside the soft launch. One includes the Kingpin skin for Soldier: 76 along with 2,000 Credits, and becomes available after finishing the tutorial. Credit bundles will also be offered as another way for players to progress their heroes. Blizzard has stated that these purchases are entirely optional and that player skill is meant to remain the main factor in how matches play out.

For now, the soft launch is limited to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, with Blizzard noting plans to expand Overwatch Rush to more regions in later phases.