Overwatch's New Experimental Mode Is Dropping Tomorrow

The Experimental Mode for Overwatch was revealed back in January, which was advertised as an upcoming mode that allowed players to test planned changes on all platforms. The Experimental Mode works similar to that of a Public Test Server, but it is quite different in many ways.

Jeff Kaplan, the lead designer on Overwatch, said that the Experimental Mode will focus more on gameplay changes rather than on bug fixes. And since the mode is going to be a part of the live build of the game, all progress made through this mode will apply toward your progress. This is something that the PTR doesn't offer.

Now, we don't know what impact these new changes could create in Overwatch, but regardless, the developers have chosen to push the Experimental Card into the game tomorrow. In the latest developer update video, Kaplan stated that the Experimental Mode will focus on "radical gameplay changes or things that we want to try out and get your direct player feedback on." Initially, Blizzard is looking at changing the role queue system.

Role queueing essentially enables players to choose a role ahead of matches, such as tank, support, or damage. Overwatch then assemble teams in locked configurations. Currently, all teams are made up of two players in each role, however, with the Experimental Card going live tomorrow, the current mix will change to one tank, two support and three damage.

In the developer update video, Kaplan explained that this change was made to address the increase in queue time for damage players caused by role queueing.

"This was a lot of fun," Kaplan says in the video. "It was very controversial on the development team. We have very strong reactions for and against this system, and ultimately at around the same time we had also mentioned to you that were going to do this experimental card... and so many players said, 'Why don't you let us try it?' So this is your chance."

Kaplan also said, "Don't panic when you see this card go up. These are changes that we are unsure of, and that's why we're getting your feedback on them. It doesn't mean that they're imminently coming to Overwatch anytime soon. It just helps you get some insight into what we're focused on and some of our design process."