Overwatch Mobile is likely to be a MOBA, with publishing for Korea and Japan to be handled by NEXON

Story Highlights

  • Blizzard Entertainment is partnering with a domestic game company for the first time to help publish one of its titles, Overwatch Mobile.
  • NEXON came out on top after major Korean gaming companies competed for the Starcraft IP and Overwatch Mobile rights in late 2024.
  • Blizzard limited the distribution rights to South Korea and Japan, despite companies aiming for global rights.

In Japan and South Korea, the widely acclaimed team-based first-person shooter game from Blizzard Entertainment known as Overwatch, is scheduled to be distributed by NEXON, after fierce competition among top Korean gaming companies over the publishing rights for the mobile version of Overwatch.

NEXON won the bid war and is now in talks to publish Overwatch Mobile in Japan and Korea

Previously, it was officially announced that the mobile version of Overwatch is being worked on, with Walter Kong, the game’s manager, spearheading its development.

If you’ve yet to get acquainted, Overwatch essentially represents a team-oriented first-person shooter game set in a forward-thinking universe, populated by a dynamic array of characters. It quickly gained immense popularity, leading to numerous global tournaments, and Blizzard introduced an upgrade in 2022 with Overwatch 2. This new version enhances the original with advanced graphics, additional features, and further developments.

As reported by MTN News, some significant Korean gaming companies such as NEXON, NCSOFT, Netmarble, and KRAFTON were all vying for the development rights of Starcraft’s intellectual property and distribution rights for Overwatch Mobile towards the end of 2024. Eventually, it was NEXON that emerged victorious and has since moved on to primary negotiations with Blizzard.

It’s been disclosed that the mobile version of Overwatch is expected to be a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game. While Overwatch on PC and consoles can technically fall under the MOBA category when considering its literal definition, if this prediction holds true, then Overwatch Mobile will find itself in competition with mobile games such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Honor of Kings, and League of Legends: Wild Rift among others.

Although Korean companies wanted global rights, Blizzard limited it to the two regions

It appears that during the bidding phase, some Korean companies informally referred to the mobile version of Overwatch as what seemed like “Overwatch 3.” However, it’s important to note that Blizzard is directly developing this mobile game, not creating a third installment in the Overwatch series. Contrary to the ambitions of these Korean companies, who were seeking global rights, Blizzard only offered distribution rights for South Korea and Japan.

Currently, T3 Arena offers a mobile gaming experience similar to Overwatch, but it doesn’t fully meet the expectations of a dedicated Overwatch fan. After immersing myself in OW2, I eagerly anticipate the genuine Overwatch Mobile experience once it becomes available.

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2025-04-28 17:11

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