Overwatch 2 Season 11 Matchmaking Update

Season 11 of Overwatch 2, titled „Super Mega Ultrawatch,“ is set to make its debut imminently. As anticipation builds, senior engineer Morgan Maddren has provided insight into the latest matchmaking adjustments. These changes are designed to enhance the gaming experience by addressing community feedback related to the narrow and wide group queues.

This season promises to bring a fresh dimension to the matchmaking system, refining how players are paired in matches. The upcoming updates aim to create a more balanced and enjoyable gameplay environment for all participants.

Why are Overwatch 2 queue times so long?

Queue times in Overwatch 2 have been notably lengthy largely due to the introduction of new matchmaking systems in Season 10. This season introduced a separation between wide and narrow groups, with the latter aiming to improve match quality. Prior to this, three out of four ranked matches had players within 2.5 divisions of each other, but some matches had a much larger disparity. With the new system, the range was reduced to six divisions in the narrow pool.

Additionally, the need to match every two-stack group with a three-stack group has significantly elongated queue times for players. The expectation was that wide groups would experience long waits, yet the impact on two-stack queue times has been more severe than anticipated. This issue is particularly felt due to the specific requirements for matching groups of different sizes.

Overwatch 2 Season 11 Matchmaking Update

In Overwatch 2 Season 11, the definition of a narrow two stack has been expanded, which should enhance queue times for these groups. This adjustment is expected to streamline the gaming experience for players who team up in pairs.

Groups of three and five stacks are currently experiencing average queue times of around two to three minutes, which the development team considers satisfactory. High MMR groups face longer queues, but developers are making changes to narrow group rules at higher ranks to address this issue. There are also ongoing efforts to refine the handling of wider matchmaking pools.

The team continues to explore the critical elements of match quality for these wide matches, seeking ways to balance match quality with improved queue times. They are also implementing new technology to further enhance the Overwatch 2 matchmaking experience.