Overwatch 2 reveals a new ping system ahead of its April beta release

Overwatch 2 developers have revealed more details about the game’s new ping system, which players can try out once the beta releases in April.

One of the main features that the original Overwatch lacked was a ping system – something quite critical in such a team-based game that requires an immense amount of communication.

While Overwatch had a comm wheel to assist those without mics, it didn’t help with target acquisition – something Overwatch 2’s ping system is hoping to correct.

in one Developer blog postthe team has been exploring this new feature and how it will change the way Overwatch is played.

The Overwatch 2 beta starts on April 26th.

Overwatch 2 ping system details revealed

A key component of a ping system is alerting teammates to an enemy’s location. As system designer Gavin Winter explains, this will now be possible without using voice chat.

“One of our goals was to expand language and give people a way to visually interpret speech communication. We also wanted to support all voices and create a communication system for players who would rather avoid voice chat,” he said.

For example, a Tracer player can activate a ping with the press of a button, depending on where he is aiming. For example, if you were to ping an enemy Reaper, players will hear Tracer calling the enemy’s location.

Overwatch 2 will make communication much easier.

While his location would be known, if he used an ability like Shadowstep to break line of sight, the ping would only show his last known location.

“A ping can ‘stick’ on a hero while it’s visible, and the ping will show the last known location when it’s not visible,” Winter said.

Overwatch 2 Ping Wheel Reviews

Additionally, holding down the ping button will bring up a comm wheel-like menu, allowing players to say where to attack, defend, group, and more.

Luckily, the feature is designed to keep toxicity to a minimum. So it also makes sense that those who ping too much can be muted.

PC users can opt-in to the Overwatch 2 beta.

“If you don’t like it that much when a person pings, you have the option of blocking or squelching the ping system for that particular person. We currently have strong spam protection that we can customize, but we really want to see what works best for the community,” Winter explained.

More options are expected to be added to the ping system as well. So expect it to be significantly improved even after the beta ends.

If you want to try out the new ping feature, new maps, modes, and a new hero, sign up for the Overwatch 2 beta now as it goes live on April 26th.

For the latest information on Overwatch 2, stay tuned to Dexerto.