'Overwatch' Beta Release Date & Characters: Closed Beta Returns Feb. 9; New Progression System, Two Maps, Game Mode & More!

Blizzard Entertainment announced that closed beta for "Overwatch" will be on Feb. 9 next week. Since the last one, there are new features and updates that players can enjoy and discover. There will be a new progression system, two new maps, a new game mode, hero balance updates and private game updates which include A.I. matches as well.

Game Spot reports that previous beta players can have access to the new content. New players can join the battle when it happens on Feb. 9. For those who want to join, they can sign up for the beta here.

"Overwatch" will be coming to PC, Xbox One and PS4. There are 21 heroes that will be available during the launch. According to another report by GS, the development team might release new characters and arenas in the future so there will be more than 21 heroes.

However, future heroes and maps that will be released after the game launch will be free of charge. The website adds that fans can investigate or determine new heroes through Easter eggs.

"There's been some worry and concern about this," said Game Director Jeff Kaplan. "We have ideas for additional maps and heroes that we'd like to add to the game. We thought about this and we decided the best way to add them to the game is to patch them in as free content and not as [paid] DLC. So hopefully that alleviates some concerns that people have."

There is no schedule yet as to when the new heroes and arena will be released after the game's release.

Since future heroes and arenas will be free, Blizzard is unsure how to enact their microtransaction plans. Jeff Kaplan explained in an interview with Eurogamer that the company has not made any decisions about it yet as they were focusing on how "Overwatch" will be received by the gaming community.

"We just hadn't made up our mind about how exactly things were going to work. In a lot of ways when you're running a live game, or a game as a service, it's extremely important to be agile and react to what the community wants, what the game needs, what the service needs and what the company needs," Kaplan explained.

"Overwatch" is expected to be released on June 21, 2016. Preorders for PC, PS4 and Xbox One versions are ongoing.