By late June, expectations were high for the second phase of Overwatch 2 beta testing, with June 28 set as the start date for broader access. Blizzard first announced this timeline on June 16, shortly after information surfaced on the site indicating that players from Russia, China, and Belarus would not be eligible to participate in the beta. This notice appeared in both the Russian and English sections of the game’s FAQ at that time.
What followed was a quick reversal in visibility. By June 17, the initial information had been removed from the site, and the Russian-language FAQ introduced a new beta participation form. This shift led many players to wonder about the true scope of regional access and whether any changes would be announced officially.
In terms of the operation itself, the beta began on June 28 at 9:00 PM Moscow time, with a small cohort of testers invited to participate. The plan was to scale up in stages: first expanding access on July 5 and then making the beta available to the broader public no later than July 14. The cadence suggested a careful, phased approach designed to gather data from a controlled group before opening the floodgates to a larger audience, all while addressing potential regional restrictions and logistical challenges.
During this period, Blizzard did not issue a formal announcement about lifting any regional limitations. That silence left room for speculation and cautious optimism among the player base. Reporters and fans noted the evolving situation and continued to monitor official channels for confirmation of access changes. Meanwhile, observers pointed out that beta programs typically balance performance testing, network stability, and regional legal considerations before deciding on final access rules. The evolving status prompted discussions about how regional restrictions could affect gameplay experience and data collection in different markets.
As the beta schedule unfolded, communities kept an eye on how participation would be managed going forward. The emphasis remained on delivering a stable testing environment while accommodating players who could be included within the beta windows. Public anticipation grew, with many hoping that any restrictions would be resolved in time, ensuring a smoother transition from testing to a wider rollout. In discussions across forums and fan sites, analysts and longtime fans shared expectations about features, balance updates, and server performance that beta testing tends to reveal before official releases, a sentiment echoed by coverage from VG Times.