After three messy years, Overwatch 2 will finish in February 2026. To any extent further, it should merely be titled “Overwatch.”
Whereas some are gearing up for an thrilling revamp of probably the most unique hero shooter, others are fast to level out that after a high-profile crossover occasion, Blizzard’s common title appears like a brand new sport claimed by the notorious Persona 5 curse.
In case you missed it: In September 2025, Blizzard started collaborating with Persona 5, providing six hero skins within the type of the JRPG’s protagonists, the Phantom Thieves. Now, simply six months later, Overwatch builders have introduced a serious replace that’s set to carry a clear slate to the title. To kick off the brand new Reign of Talon season, Blizzard has launched a shocking new cinematic that pits new playable character Vendetta in opposition to longtime villain Doomfist. Recreation director Aaron Keller additionally lays out the sport’s 2026 roadmap, revealing a wealth of recent heroes and different additions.
This replace introduced again lots of optimism to the sport, encouraging each new and previous gamers to dive into capturing Liken Tower factors as soon as once more. In early February 2026, GameRant reported that Overwatch had surpassed Battlefield 6 and Name of Responsibility on Steam to achieve its highest participant rely ever. Nevertheless, this revamp successfully eliminated Overwatch 2 (one thing Esport disputes). Followers declare that the sport technically solves Persona 5’s curse, including one more dwell service title to the listing of victims.
What’s the Curse in Persona 5?
There aren’t that many superstitions about gaming. However the so-called Persona 5 curse has claimed so many victims at this level that it is virtually arduous to disregard.
That is an unlucky development that followers have found. If the sport had been to work with the Persona 5 IP in any method, it will abruptly shut down or enter an “finish of service” interval inside a number of years.
Star Ocean Amannesis turns into the primary sufferer of the curse. This gacha sport introduced a collaboration with JRPG on October 19, 2019, and ended its service in June 2021. As we reported on the time, “Sword Artwork On-line Reminiscence Defrag” partnered with Persona 5 on February 17, 2020. A number of months later, we suffered the same destiny and shut down our servers on August 30, 2021. Dragalia Misplaced, one other gacha sport, additionally introduced a collaboration with Persona 5. Nier Reincarnation and Persona 5 will share a crossover on September 9, 2022, with the previous ending on April 30, 2024.
Followers of Persona 5 started jokingly calling the collection tainted after this collection of dwell service titles abruptly went out of service simply hours after an in-game occasion ended.
As of now, not all dwell service video games which have collaborations with Persona 5 have ended. Granblue Fantasy remains to be going sturdy eight years after the in-game occasion. Curse success charge just isn’t all the time 100%. To not point out Atlus’ personal live-service sport, Persona 5 the Phantom X. This was solely launched final 12 months and remains to be doing fairly properly.
Nonetheless, the gaming neighborhood has rallied round this alleged superstition, as there are numerous examples to level out.
Why do folks say Overwatch 2 suffered the curse of Persona 5?
Whereas Overwatch will live on, The elimination of the “2” from the identify led social media to interpret the rebrand as a type of “dying.”
As beforehand talked about, September 2025 marked Overwatch’s seventh model collaboration to this point. With this launch, heroes Mercy, D.Va, Lifeweaver, Genji, and the lately launched Wuyang will obtain skins within the iconic Phantom Thieves model. The heroes would additionally obtain new “sport play” animations and emotes just like Phantom Thieves’ “All-Out Assault,” which followers of each collection had been excited to see.
This displays the continuing issue in sustaining a gradual stream of monetization to justify the continuation of dwell service video games.
Admittedly, this collaboration was so spectacular that it as soon as once more showcased the Overwatch crew’s nice pores and skin design and made some folks wish to drop $69 and decide up your entire bundle.
It is also necessary to notice right here that curses do not even have something to do with occasions or the standard stage of the sport. This displays the continuing issue in sustaining a gradual stream of monetization to justify the continuation of dwell service video games.
This meme additionally has components of schadenfreude. Contemplating the unfavorable reception the Overwatch collection obtained when it launched the notorious Overwatch 2 replace in 2022; Avid gamers aren’t too enthusiastic concerning the course Blizzard is taking with the sport.
Overwatch 2 launched a number of map and pores and skin modifications, a controversial UI overhaul, beloved character reworks, and, most infamously, an all-new monetization system that eliminated loot packing containers in favor of a battle cross. This replace will remodel the sport and make 5v5 a staple mode to take away the notorious GOATS meta.
One other main piece of content material that was teased was the long-awaited PvE story mode, which was anticipated to advance Overwatch’s story past the discharge of flicks and heroes.
Nevertheless, two years after the discharge of Overwatch 2, the mode was formally canceled forward of Microsoft’s acquisition of Blizzard.
Followers rejoice the success of Overwatch 2’s renewal and Persona 5’s Curse right here. As an alternative, there are widespread cheers that Blizzard is listening to followers and actively remodeling unpopular design selections in favor of a greater participant expertise.
What does Curse in Persona 5 imply for Overwatch?
Actually, that is all very disingenuous.
With the latest inflow of gamers following the information of the relaunch, it is clear that this franchise has lots left to final for a few years to come back. When you say so, Curse of Persona 5 supplies an fascinating conclusion to Overwatch 2’s general legacy, which has been crammed with controversy and unfavorable suggestions from gamers all through its lifecycle.
Here is hoping the brand new renovation rightes the ship and would not fall sufferer to the curse once more in a 12 months if Blizzard chooses to do one other Persona collaboration to wipe out the remaining Phantom Thieves. In any case, it has to remain forward of the likes of its Marvel rivals.