Overwatch's Anniversary Event Will Be Split Into Three Parts, Each Offering Previously Limited-time Skins

After years of running the same holiday events in Overwatch, with little variation other than new cosmetics, Blizzard is actually doing something different with this year's anniversary event. The Anniversary Remix event will be split into three volumes, each one bringing back three popular mini-event skins and offering variations on six popular skins from the past.

The returning skins include limited-time event-related ones like Nano D.Va, Bastet Ana, and Combat Medic Baptiste, which will each be available over one week's time. The variant skins appear to be white-tinged versions of popular skins like Witch Mercy and Oni Genji.

Note: Activision Blizzard is still under investigation by the state of California for serious harassment charges. CEO Bobby Kotick is alleged to have known about such actions within his company – and performed some himself – and shielded the perpetrators from consequences.

As in previous years, you can still purchase cosmetics from other Anniversary events. Brawls and special modes will also be on a limited-time, one-week basis. The Anniversary Remix events will proceed throughout the summer, meaning that other events, like Summer Games and Archives, won't be returning this year.

The reason for the change is simple, as was spelled out in the announcement post on the Overwatch forums: "This three-part anniversary event enables our team to allocate more time and attention to the upcoming [Overwatch 2] PVP beta, while simultaneously providing the community with the chance to earn unique variants of your favorite Legendary skins." I'm a little surprised they didn't insist it was inspired by the motto, "Every Skin Matters," or something like that.