Veteran Overwatch players and newcomers alike have reason to be excited as Blizzard Entertainment officially confirms the introduction of a brand-new map for the Flashpoint game mode in the upcoming Season 17. This significant update, scheduled to launch on June 24, will see the arrival of Aatlis, a visually distinct map set against the backdrop of Morocco. This marks the first expansion of the Flashpoint map pool in close to two years, a development keenly anticipated by the player base.
Confirmation of Aatlis came directly from Game Director Aaron Keller via social media, addressing community speculation and reaffirming its inclusion in both Quick Play and Competitive Play rotations. The Moroccan locale was initially glimpsed during the Overwatch 2 Spotlight event and subsequently featured on the game’s development roadmap, effectively building a sense of anticipation among dedicated players.
The arrival of Aatlis is not the sole focus of the Season 17 update. Keller also detailed forthcoming revisions to the existing Flashpoint maps, New Junk City and Suravasa, suggesting potential tweaks to their layouts or gameplay flow. Furthermore, a new Map Voting system is currently in development. This feature promises to inject an additional layer of strategic consideration into matches, allowing players to collectively decide on one of three randomly selected maps before the commencement of each game.
Beyond the immediate additions to the Flashpoint mode, the Overwatch 2 roadmap outlines a substantial pipeline of future content. Season 17 will also see the inclusion of Esperanca and Samoa within the Stadium game mode. Looking further ahead, Season 18 is poised to introduce the familiar locales of Route 66 and London, alongside two entirely new maps specifically designed for the upcoming Payload Race mode. The development team has also teased future map releases set in China, as well as the Atlantic Arcology and Tokyo for seasons beyond 18, ensuring a consistent stream of fresh environments for players to explore and master.
The introduction of Aatlis, coupled with the planned updates and the forthcoming Map Voting system, underscores Blizzard’s commitment to the ongoing evolution of Overwatch 2. These additions promise to inject renewed energy into the gameplay experience, offering both novel challenges and strategic depth for the ever-growing community.
