Overwatch Closed Beta returning next month with new mode, maps

Overwatch's Closed Beta will be returning next month instead of this month, but it's not for a bad reason.

Blizzard shut down the Overwatch Closed Beta in December, with the intent of addressing player feedback, working on core features, and adjusting the balance of the game.  

"Our goal was to have all of that work completed before bringing the Closed Beta back online, and our hope was to have that goal complete by middle to late January," said game designer Jeff Kaplan.

Blizzard acknowledged that most of the feedback they received was a desire for more game modes in Overwatch, in addition to Point Capture and Payload. Without getting into specifics, Kaplan revealed Blizzard is working on a new game mode, as well as new maps to support it. Unfortunately, they need some more time.

Rather than rushing a beta patch out this month, and delaying the new game mode, Blizzard will take a few extra weeks before bringing the Closed Beta back online.

"By doing so, we can make sure we can include the new game mode along with the new maps. This will also allow us to do some additional polish to the game’s progression and reward system. Though all these features will still technically be a work-in-progress during the beta, we’d like them to be at a certain quality bar before releasing them for testing," Kaplan said.

Blizzard doesn't have an exact date for when Overwatch's closed beta will resume, but the developer is targeting "mid-February."