How to get into the Overwatch 2 beta with a Twitch drop

Players who missed out on an Overwatch 2 beta key will have the chance to get in on the action via a Twitch drop.

Blizzard is taking a page out of the Riot Games’ playbook by leveraging drops to run up Twitch viewership for its upcoming game. The formula was a smashing success for Valorant, making it no surprise that Blizzard is hoping to do the same for Overwatch 2.

The sequel to the popular hero shooter has been getting play in alpha form over recent weeks. This has let players test out some of the new content including the Push game mode, multiple reworked heroes, and newcomer Sojourn. Blizzard is opening that up further with the transition to a closed beta.

Though players were able to apply for a spot in the Overwatch 2 beta through the game’s official website, not everyone was able to get in. Those left out in the cold will have the opportunity to get a spot through a Twitch drop. Here’s how you can get into the game.

How to get an Overwatch 2 beta Twitch drop

The process for getting an Overwatch 2 beta key via Twitch drop isn’t particularly difficult, but it is time-consuming. Here’s how to do it.

1. Link Twitch account with Battle.net account
2. Watch drop-enabled streamers on Twitch for four hours between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT on April 27
3. If the drop comes through, sign into the linked Battle.net account
4. Go to the Overwatch page in the Battle.net launcher
5. Open the drop-down “game version” menu in the bottom-left area of the window
6. Select Overwatch 2 Technical Beta and install the game

The process is largely the same as getting into the Valorant beta, but there’s a much tighter window required this time around. Players will need to watch four hours of content total from a select group of streamers during an eight-hour window. A full list of the drop-enabled streamers can be found on Overwatch 2 website. The list includes popular streamers such as Asmongold, Imane “Pokimane” Anys, and Michael “Imaqtpie” Santana, as well as former pros like Jehong “ryujehong” Ryu and Felix “xQc” Lengyel.

After watching four hours of content, players can receive a Twitch drop. After doing so, the ability to install Overwatch 2 will be unlocked in the Battle.net launcher.

Blizzard was vague regarding the odds viewers have of gaining access to the beta via Twitch drop. The wording suggests that watching four hours of streams does not guarantee access. The publisher stated that there will be other Overwatch 2 betas in the future that players will be able to get into.