Whether or not you think Early Access is worthwhile will largely depend on how much you value Overwatch. Considering it only lasts 1 day, between May 3–4, before switching over to Open Beta (everyone will have a chance to play free during an all-access Open Beta period from May 5–9) it's up for debate. Do you get anything extra by parting with your money now? No, not at all. That said, it's an opportunity to play Overwatch (hurrah!) and expose your friends to it as early as possible. 

If you're still undecided about Overwatch, all I can say is that it's an exceptional game and one that gets better and better the more you play it. If you've a handful of friends, it's also well worth diving in together. It's not overly cheap, but it is good value for money. Here's the FAQ if you've still any doubts and you can pre-purchase here.


Q. By what date do I need to pre-purchase to get early access to the Open Beta? 
A: To ensure you get early access to the Open Beta, pre-purchase your copy digitally or at a participating retailer on or before April 29, 2016.

Q. When will I receive my early access keys?
A. All early access keys will be distributed on or before May 2, 2016.

Q. How will I receive my early access key from a retailer? 
A. Your retailer will provide you with early access keys for your chosen platform. Distribution timing and methods vary by platform and retailer, so check with your favorite store for details.

Q. How do I get early access to the Open Beta if I previously preordered or pre-purchased at a participating retail store, but didn't get an early access key?
A. If you previously pre-purchased or preordered Overwatch at a participating retailer, contact your store to find out how to receive your early access keys.

Q. Can I redeem my early access keys right away once I receive them?
A. Early access keys on PC can be redeemed immediately through Battle.net Account Management ("Games & Codes" > "Add a Game Key").

Early access keys on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will be redeemable beginning on May 3, 2016. Please be sure to save your key(s) and redeem them on May 3 to download and play the game.

Q. Who should I contact if I am having trouble redeeming my early access key? 
A. If you're having issues with redeeming your early access key(s), please reach out to whomever you pre-purchased from for assistance.

Q. What is the exact time the Open Beta will begin in my region? 
A. To be determined! We'll be sure to share regional dates and times for the Open Beta (including the early access portion of the Open Beta) once those details have been locked down.

Q. What game content will be available during the Open Beta? 
A. All players will have access to the full roster of 21 heroes, along with every map that will be available at launch. We want players to get a feel for the complete Overwatch experience!

Q. Do I need Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus to participate in the Open Beta? 
A. Due to the multiplayer nature of Overwatch, Xbox Live Gold is required to play during the Open Beta and at launch. PlayStation Plus is not required during the Open Beta, but will be required to play at launch.

Q. Will my progress from the Open Beta carry over to the launch version of the game? 
A. No. All progression including skins, rewards, levels, and stats gained during the Open Beta will be reset at launch. This includes any progression gained during the early access portion, as well.

Q. Will PC and console gamers be able to play together during the Open Beta? 
A: No, cross-platform play will not be available during the Open Beta or at launch.

Q. Will the Closed Beta end before the Open Beta begins?
A. Yes. The Closed Beta will end before May 3, 2016. The exact date is still to be determined, though we'll provide Closed Beta participants with advanced notice.

Q. What if I have a question about the Open Beta that hasn't been answered?
A. Stay tuned! We'll be sharing more information about the Open Beta in the coming weeks. Please feel free to tweet @PlayOverwatch with your question if you'd like to see it answered in one of our future updates. 


To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Overwatch Game Page.

Last Updated: Apr 29, 2016

About The Author

Lewis is a long standing journalist, who freelances to a variety of outlets.

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