When it comes to game development, the journey between the initial concept and the final product is a winding road full of ideas that make it through and those that don't. Recently, news emerged about the canceled PVE mode in Overwatch 2 that took inspiration from Blizzard's canceled MMO, codenamed "Titan."
Blizzard Entertainment is known for producing games that cater to a variety of genres, many of which have become household names. Sometimes, this also means that certain aspects of their games or entire games themselves have to be shelved. Such was the case with Titan, an MMO project that was discontinued in 2013 after seven years of development. The experiences and lessons they took from Titan have had an impact on shaping the Overwatch franchise in aspects such as the PVE mode.
In his blog, Overwatch 2 director, Aaron Keller, stated that the planned PVE mode in Overwatch 2 was to share aspects with the previously mentioned canceled MMO. Keller showcased new maps and hero reworks for the forthcoming title while offering fans an insight into the development process behind Blizzard's flagship FPS game.
Compelled by the question of what inspired the PVE mode, Keller explained that the mode borrowed heavily from the PVE components found within Titan. He revealed that the mode was to make the game feel like an MMO within a first-person shooter setting.
Ultimately, the PVE mode got canceled, and Overwatch 2, as we see it today, features a variety of PVP content that has garnered its great popularity. However, the news about the initial version of Overwatch 2 having substantial roots in the canceled MMO game serves as an interesting reflection on the multifaceted path game development can take. As gamers eagerly await the release and further updates on Overwatch 2, one can't help but wonder what else could have been incorporated from the shadows of Titan.