When is the Overwatch 2 Archives event for 2023?

Gather around history buffs and lore nerds, we’re looking ahead for the Archives seasonal event in Overwatch 2. This event typically offers new PVE content that explores some corner of the game’s universe, and we’re hoping that this will continue in 2023, especially since there was no traditional Archives event last year. Last year had so few full events ahead of the sequel’s launch that we seem overdue for another deep dive into the past. Here are our early predictions for Archives in 2023.

In previous years, the PVE maps featured a set lineup of characters on a mission. We’ve joined heroes from both the Overwatch organization and its underground Blackwatch division for the past three stories. I’d love to see a glimpse at Talon in action this time. That would mean the possibility to run an entirely new quartet, like Doomfist, Sombra, Widowmaker, and Baptiste. And a new story mission would also mean a new map, first for the PVE experience and then reimagined for a typical 5v5 mode. Basically, this seems like a good time for a big batch of new stuff from Blizzard.

As with the other seasonal events, Archives will probably involve the return of any and all old PVE maps in the Arcade. There will be a set of challenges to unlock some of the more minor cosmetics, such as voice lines and sprays for specific heroes, and maybe even the account-wide namecard titles. If there are skins available during the event, the trend seems to be new artwork showing up each week in the Shop while artwork from the original game is more likely to show up as a Twitch drop or challenge reward.

While some elements of the seasonal events have changed in the Overwatch 2 era, the dates have mostly fallen at the same points in the calendar. I’d expect that there will be a two-week window in April for Archives. The exact timing will depend on the dates for that season, but for a rough guess, I’d plan for Overwatch Archives to run from April 11 – April 25 2023. Stay tuned for more details about both the upcoming seasons and events as we get them!