Blizzard Extends Overwatch 2’s Junkenstein’s Lab Event Due to Fan Demand
Blizzard’s Halloween event in Overwatch 2 this year introduced Junkenstein’s Lab, a spooky, PvE-inspired game mode that quickly became a favorite among players. What started as a seasonal mode has now found surprising longevity, thanks largely to its unique “mutations” for heroes. These mutations, which grant heroes unique traits, provided a taste of PvE features that Blizzard had once teased but ultimately left behind.
Recently, Overwatch 2 director Aaron Keller revealed that the mode has continued to attract about 15% of daily players—a remarkable achievement for a limited-time event. Following this announcement, Blizzard issued a balance patch that reworked a few heroes in Junkenstein’s Lab, including Genji, Kiriko, Mercy, and Orisa. These changes focused on improving self-healing and shortening cooldowns, giving players a refreshed experience and, hopefully, more success in taking down enemies.
But Blizzard decided to tackle bugs and quality issues that captured fans’ interest. For many players, this commitment signals a recognition of Junkenstein’s Lab’s popularity and raises hopes that the mode could become a permanent addition to Overwatch 2’s Arcade mode in the future. And that dream doesn’t seem too far-fetched, as Blizzard announced on their official Overwatch 2 account that Junkenstein’s Lab would remain active until November 11—an extension beyond the original end date.
Of course, there’s no official word on whether Junkenstein’s Lab might return as a staple mode, but its popularity speaks volumes. Blizzard will soon be rolling out playtests for both 5v5 and 6v6 modes, which could influence their focus on new content for the next season. Meanwhile, players are soaking up every extra day to experiment with the hero traits.
If you’re aiming to complete all six event challenges tied to Junkenstein’s Lab, keep in mind that the Halloween Terror III title “Mutated Monster” requires playing 50 matches in this mode. With only hours left, time is running out to earn this special player title! Get in while you still can and enjoy the extra week of Junkenstein’s Lab—who knows when it might return!
