Blizzard brings big new features with Battle.net 2.0 update

Olivia Richman Published 15/01/2021

Battle.net 2.0 is coming, and users are in for some big changes as a result.

Battle.net, Blizzard’s owned game launcher, is getting some big updates. The changes focus on navigating the game library and viewing games a bit more easily with layout improvements. Battle.net 2.0 will now allow players to choose their favorite games and arrange them as they desire to make it easier to access preferred titles. 

Other quality-of-life improvements include moving the hotbar with all game logos to the top. This makes room for a revamped social panel on the right side, allowing people to see their friends list faster. It will also show what each friend is playing or otherwise doing when they are online. Another social update is a consolidated notifications hub for messages and other status updates. 

Navigation is also improved in Battle.net 2.0 thanks to an update that allows players to move through most of the app using only their keyboard. Blizzard also increased screen reader support and improved the app’s color contrast. 

This is already a much-needed improvement for Overwatch and World of Warcraft players. But Blizzard has stated that they are not done developing Battle.net just yet. This update is said to be “just the beginning,” and new features will be added in the near future. 

“We’ll keep iterating, improving, and adding to the app over time,” Blizzard said. 

The update will be coming to North America first. Developers will see how things go in that region, watching the patch’s stability, before bringing it to other regions in the weeks ahead. Blizzard fans in North America can expect the patch to drop in the next few days. 

Is Blizzard Battle.net free?

Battle.net is free. It’s simply a game launcher that houses downloadable games, some of which are free and some of which cost money to purchase. 

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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