The Overwatch 2 universe is buzzing with excitement as the beloved Transformers collaboration makes its triumphant return to the game. However, longtime players and newcomers alike are discovering that this rerun comes with a significant twist that’s leaving many fans feeling shortchanged. While the iconic Optimus Prime Reinhardt, Megatron Ramattra, Arcee Illari, and Bumblebee Bastion skins are once again available in the shop, the free challenge rewards that made the original event so special are conspicuously absent.
What’s Different This Time Around?
When the Overwatch 2 x Transformers collaboration first launched in July 2024 during Season 11’s “Super Mega Ultrawatch” event, it represented one of the game’s most ambitious crossover events to date. Players could not only purchase the four legendary skin bundles but also earn a wealth of free cosmetics by completing in-game challenges. Fast forward to November 2025, and while the shop offerings remain identical, the free rewards system has been completely stripped away.
Original Event Free Rewards (Missing in Rerun):
- Prime Time Challenge: Complete 20 games → Autobots Player Icon + 5,000 XP
- High Flier Challenge: Complete 40 games → Decepticons Player Icon + 5,000 XP
- Buzz-Worthy Challenge: Complete 60 games → Transformers – Autobots Name Card + 5,000 XP
- Power Hungry Challenge: Complete 80 games → Transformers – Decepticons Name Card + 5,000 XP
- Till All Are One Challenge: Complete 100 games → Heroic Autobot Player Title + 5,000 XP
- Cybertronian Legend Challenge: Complete 120 games → Decepticon Gladiator Player Title + 5,000 XP
That’s a total of 30,000 Battle Pass XP and six exclusive cosmetic items that players could earn simply by playing the game during the original event. Now, these rewards are completely unobtainable, making this rerun feel more like a cash grab than a celebration of the collaboration.
Why This Rerun Stands Out from Previous Returns
What makes this particular rerun frustrating for many players is its inconsistency with how Blizzard has handled previous collaboration returns. Looking at the history of Overwatch 2’s crossover events, this Transformers rerun is actually the first time a collaboration has returned with less content than its original iteration.
Consider these recent examples:
- Cowboy Bebop Rerun: Identical to the original event, maintaining all challenges and rewards
- LE SSERAFIM Sequel: Actually added new content beyond the original collaboration
- One Punch Man Return: Included additional skins and expanded offerings
This pattern makes the Transformers rerun’s missing challenges particularly noticeable and disappointing. Players who missed the original event were likely hoping for a second chance to earn those exclusive cosmetics, only to find that opportunity has vanished.
The Development Story Behind the Collaboration
To truly understand why this rerun feels so significant, we need to look back at the development process that made the original Overwatch 2 x Transformers collaboration so special. According to insights from the development team, this crossover wasn’t just a quick cash-in—it was a passion project years in the making.
Blizzard Entertainment began collaborating with Hasbro to bring Transformers into Overwatch 2 back in 2022. The character selections were carefully considered:
- Reinhardt as Optimus Prime: Both are natural leaders who protect their teams
- Ramattra as Megatron: Both serve as the “big bad” in their respective universes and have transformation abilities
- Bastion as Bumblebee: Both characters are mostly silent in their respective IPs
- Illari as Arcee: Illari needed more skins, and her transforming solar rifle mirrored Cybertronian abilities
Interestingly, the developers considered several other character pairings that ultimately didn’t make the cut, including Starscream for Pharah, Soundwave for Lucio, and even Unicron for Wrecking Ball. The team has also expressed interest in potentially doing another Transformers collaboration in the future, given the wealth of characters available in the Transformers universe.
Player Reactions and Community Sentiment
The community response to this rerun has been mixed, reflecting broader debates about cosmetic exclusivity and monetization in live-service games. On one hand, many players are thrilled that newcomers have the opportunity to purchase these popular skins that they might have missed during the original event.
As one player noted on the Blizzard forums: “Someone else having a skin doesn’t devalue me having the skin. In fact, I prefer it because it allows others to get more skins and brings more variety to what other players within the game will use.”
However, others feel betrayed by the removal of free rewards, especially since these items were advertised as part of a “limited-time event.” The sentiment is best captured by another forum member: “Does anyone else feel this way? How can players trust limited-time skins will remain rare if Blizzard keeps bringing them back?”
This divide highlights a fundamental tension in modern gaming: the desire for exclusive, rare content versus the wish for more players to access popular cosmetics. It also raises questions about how companies should handle “limited-time” events and whether reruns should maintain the same value proposition as original runs.
The Bigger Picture: Overwatch 2’s Collaboration Strategy
Looking at the broader context, this Transformers rerun represents an interesting moment in Overwatch 2’s evolving approach to collaboration events. The game has consistently delivered at least one crossover per season since Season 9, with some seasons featuring multiple collaborations.
Here’s a complete breakdown of Overwatch 2’s collaboration history:
| Season | Collaborations |
|---|---|
| 3 | One Punch Man |
| 7 | Diablo, LE SSERAFIM |
| 9 | Cowboy Bebop |
| 10 | Porsche |
| 11 | Transformers |
| 12 | World of Warcraft |
| 13 | My Hero Academia |
| 14 | Avatar: The Last Airbender |
| 15 | LE SSERAFIM (Sequel) |
| 16 | Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Street Fighter 6 |
| 17 | G.I. Joe, Nerf |
| 18 | Luka Doncic, Persona 5, Cowboy Bebop (Rerun) |
| 19 | One Punch Man (Rerun), Transformers (Rerun) |
Season 19 notably broke the pattern of introducing new collaborations by featuring only reruns, which may signal a shift in Blizzard’s approach to these events. This could be due to various factors, including development resources, licensing agreements, or a strategic decision to give more players access to popular content.
What This Means for Future Collaborations
The inconsistent handling of collaboration reruns raises important questions about what players can expect from future events. Will Blizzard standardize their approach, or will each rerun continue to have its own unique set of rules and offerings?
Industry analysts suggest that this inconsistency might actually be intentional, allowing Blizzard to test different approaches and see what resonates best with the player base. However, this experimentation comes at the cost of player trust and predictability.
For players who value exclusive content, this trend of returning collaborations is concerning. As one collector put it: “I was actually thinking about buying the bundle this time, but seeing these collab skins come back makes it feel disappointing for players who value rare or exclusive content.”
On the flip side, more casual players who might have missed original events due to timing, cost, or other reasons are likely appreciative of the second chance to obtain these popular cosmetics.
Making the Most of the Current Rerun
Despite the missing challenges, there are still ways for players to engage with this Transformers rerun and get value from their participation:
For New Players: If you missed the original event, this is still your opportunity to purchase these iconic skins. While you won’t get the free challenge rewards, the skins themselves remain some of the most detailed and popular in the game.
For Returning Players: Consider whether you want to complete your collection or support the collaboration. Even without the free rewards, the quality of these skins makes them worthwhile additions for many players.
For Collectors: Keep in mind that while the skins are returning, the original challenge rewards remain exclusive to the 2024 event, potentially making those items even more valuable in the long run.
The Future of Overwatch 2 Collaborations
Looking ahead, the Overwatch 2 team has hinted that more collaborations are in the works, including potential future Transformers crossovers. Given the wealth of characters in the Transformers universe, there’s certainly room for additional skin releases featuring different heroes.
Some possibilities for future Transformers content could include:
- Starscream for Pharah (originally considered but cut)
- Soundwave for Lucio (another cut concept)
- Grimlock or other Dinobots for various tank heroes
- Hot Rod for a damage hero like Tracer
The development team has expressed interest in expanding the collaboration, so fans of both franchises have reason to be optimistic about future content.
Conclusion: A Mixed Bag for Fans
The Overwatch 2 Transformers collaboration rerun represents both an opportunity and a disappointment for different segments of the player base. While it’s fantastic that more players can access these high-quality skins, the removal of free challenge rewards feels like a step backward in terms of player value.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges that live-service games face in balancing exclusivity with accessibility, and monetization with player satisfaction. As Overwatch 2 continues to evolve, players will be watching closely to see how Blizzard handles future collaboration reruns and whether they’ll establish more consistent policies.
For now, the Transformers collab remains a highlight of Overwatch 2’s crossover history, even if this particular rerun leaves something to be desired. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the game, there’s no denying the appeal of seeing Reinhardt charge into battle as Optimus Prime or watching Ramattra transform into the mighty Megatron.
As the gaming industry continues to navigate these complex issues, one thing is certain: collaborations like this one will remain a cornerstone of live-service games, bringing together beloved franchises in exciting new ways. The challenge for developers will be finding the right balance that satisfies both collectors and casual players alike.