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Overwatch 2 Steam Release: What You Get

1 min read

Overwatch 2 cover image

The Steam build is the same game, not a separate version — but it still routes through Battle.net, and it adds one thing the launcher never had.

The Overwatch 2 Steam release arrived in August 2023, and it is the same client as the Battle.net one rather than a separate build with its own player base.

You still need a Battle.net account

Launching from Steam opens a Blizzard login. There is no Steam-only account — you sign in with Battle.net and link the two, which is exactly what makes crossplay and cross-progression work.

Progression does not split

Because everything hangs off Battle.net, your skins, unlocks, battle pass progress and Competitive rank are identical whichever launcher you open. Switching to Steam resets nothing and duplicates no purchases.

What Steam adds

  • Achievements, which the Battle.net client never offered.
  • Friends list, overlay and playtime tracking in one place.
  • User reviews — and that score is why most people have heard about the Steam release at all.

Steam Deck

It is neither Verified nor Playable. The game runs, but freezing during online matches is the reported blocker, so treat the Deck as unsupported rather than as a handheld option you can rely on in Competitive.