Nexon and Blizzard ink new deal; Overwatch Mobile may still launch.

The prospect of Overwatch coming to mobile devices has long been considered a distant dream, particularly after revelations from Jason Schreier's book about Blizzard hinted at a mobile version being shelved. However, a recent agreement between Korean developer Nexon and Blizzard has sparked renewed interest and speculation.

The primary focus of this new deal centers on the publishing and development rights for a fresh installment in the legendary StarCraft real-time strategy (RTS) series. The competition for these rights was intense, with other major players like Krafton and Netmarble also in the race. If confirmed, this deal would position Nexon at the helm of future StarCraft releases.

What has caught the gaming community's attention, though, are reports suggesting that the deal also encompasses publishing rights for an Overwatch mobile version. This development not only revives hopes for a mobile port but hints at the possibility of it being an official sequel in the form of a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA).

This isn't the first time Overwatch has ventured into the MOBA genre; Blizzard previously pushed Heroes of the Storm, which could potentially make its way to mobile platforms. This might be what the rumored Overwatch MOBA actually refers to.

Alternatively, a standalone spin-off could be in the works. However, the idea of this becoming an 'Overwatch 3' seems highly unlikely, given the franchise's established focus on console and PC gaming.

Embracing its MOBA roots could prove advantageous for Overwatch, especially with emerging competitors like Marvel Rivals threatening to steal the spotlight. This might be the perfect moment for Blizzard and their publishing partners to take bold steps to rejuvenate this once-thriving franchise.