Overwatch
Overwatch
Bobby Kotick has officially stepped down from Blizzard
Olivia Richman
Amidst an abundance of issues surrounding Activision Blizzard, CEO Bobby Kotick has announced he is leaving the company. The news of Kotick stepping down isn’t really shocking for anyone in the gaming community. It’s been rumored during the entire Microsoft acquisition that Kotick would be leaving Blizzard and he confirmed this decision with a letter to employees back in October. In the letter, Kotick told employees that he would be …
Overwatch
Mauga gets updated in recent Overwatch 2 patch
Olivia Richman
Mauga is the focus of a patch — again — as developers continue to balance the powerful tank hero. There has been controversy surrounding the Samoan tank ever since he was released earlier this month. He was seen as a bit OP when he first dropped, with players concerned ahead of his competitive arrival due to the amount of damage he does while being quite aggressive. He was nerfed a …
Overwatch
Winter Wonderland brings game modes and legendary skins to OW2
Olivia Richman
It may be getting colder outside, but it’s heating up in Overwatch 2. Winter Wonderland is back and with it, the return of winter-themed game modes and the introduction of new cosmetics. Like every previous Winter Wonderland event, Blizzard is bringing back snow-themed game modes that have already appeared previous years. This time, Mei’s Snowball Offensive, Yeti Hunt, and Freeze-Flash Elimination are returning to the Arcade. Mei’s Snowball Offensive has …
Overwatch
Mauga already getting nerfed in Overwatch 2
Olivia Richman
An Overwatch 2 update had just one single focus, nerfing Mauga. Does this mean that players who felt the new tank was OP were correct after all? Here’s what changed about Mauga. Mauga is the latest tank hero in Overwatch 2, a Samoan soldier that’s known for his brute strength and cutting sarcasm. But a lot of players felt that he was a bit oppressive over the last few weeks …
Overwatch
Space Ranger is coming to Overwatch 2 in 2024
Olivia Richman
Overwatch 2 developers have shared a new hero, known as Space Ranger, at BlizzCon 2023. There were a lot shocking Overwatch 2 announcements at BlizzCon 2023 this weekend, including the confirmation of Muaga and a new game mode. Now, developers have opened up about a new hero coming in 2024. Space Ranger is the codename for a support hero from the Mars colony. Tan said they didn’t want to “dive …
Overwatch
Hanaoka map revealed at BlizzCon for new Overwatch 2 game mode
Olivia Richman
Overwatch 2 revealed the upcoming Hanaoka map at BlizzCon 2023. Developers talked about the lore and design of the map during a panel, giving some interesting insight into what’s to come. Blizzard announced that a new game mode is coming to Overwatch 2 in 2024. Called Clash, this mode has five objectives that players must attempt to capture until one team gets all five. Clash will be played on a …
Overwatch
Overwatch 2 Concert Clash game mode, challenges, rewards
Olivia Richman
The Overwatch 2 LE SSERAFIM Concert Clash event is here, and there are challenges available for fans who want K-Pop-related rewards. The Concert Clash event is part of a collaboration with LE SSERAFIM, a popular South Korean pop group that will be performing a new song at BlizzCon 2023. There are K-Pop-themed legendary skins to purchase during this event, but there are also free rewards if you complete some challenges. …
Overwatch
Is teabagging toxic in Overwatch 2?
Olivia Richman
Teabagging is very common in gaming, especially in multi-person shooters like Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, and Overwatch 2. It’s a classic move that’s meant to be a disrespectful, trolling taunt. But should players stop teabagging? Teabagging is easy to do. You usually have to simply crouch and uncrouch as fast as you can, often above a fallen teammate or enemy. Players have become creative and there’s now even a twerking …
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick stepping down after $500M from Microsoft
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said he is leaving the company by the end of this year. Microsoft is in the middle of possibly acquiring Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. It has been a huge controversy in the gaming community for the past two years, with many accusing Microsoft of attempting to monopolize the gaming industry. Amidst it all, it looks like Kotick has been thinking of leaving Blizzard this year. …
Hanzo removed from OW2 after getting Mythic skin
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
Right after it was announced that Hanzo was getting a Mythic skin in Season 7, the serious sharpshooter was removed from multiple Overwatch 2 game modes. Hanzo has been all but disabled in Overwatch 2 after developers found a bug with his Storm Bow ability. When you open Overwatch 2, you will see he’s missing from the heroes menu and is no longer in any game mode’s roster. Hanzo was …
Overwatch 2 hero reworks coming for Roadhog, Pharah
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
Overwatch 2 Season 7 is bringing a lot of spooky updates and a massive rework to Sombra. But developers are not done there, with Roadhog getting a mid-season rework followed by Pharah. With only five heroes to a team in Overwatch 2, the playstyle has completely changed. Teams are a lot more aggressive, and some heroes just haven’t fit into the meta ever since teams went down to one tank. …
Florida Mayhem become OWL 2023 champs
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
The Florida Mayhem has been crowned the Overwatch League 2023 champions. The Florida Mayhem has been dominant throughout the sixth season of the Overwatch League, leading them to a highly anticipated Grand Finals against Houston Outlaws. But it ended up being extremely one-sided, with Mayhem coming out 4-0. At the start of the Grand Finals, it looked like Houston Outlaws had a chance to win over Mayhem. But Grand Finals …
Everything we know about Samoa, new OW2 Control map
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
Control is getting a new map in Overwatch 2 Season 7. In an attempt to shake up gameplay, Overwatch 2 added Push and Flashpoint modes to the competitive side of the lore-rich FPS. Now, Blizzard is turning its attention to a classic mode, Control, in Season 7. Here’s what we know so far about Samoa. https://twitter.com/PlayOverwatch/status/1708576426679505082?s=20 Samoa has three different maps that are vastly different, although all of them are …
All we know about the possible Overwatch 2 x Diablo 4 crossover
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
A massive Overwatch 2 leak for Season 7 has the community whispering about a Diablo 4 crossover. Season 6, Invasion, was one of the most massive updates in Overwatch history. But even the new game modes, content, and hero wasn’t enough to keep FPS fans distracted for long. Now, gamers are already trying to figure out what’s to come in Season 7, and it’s looking pretty interesting. Screenshots of a …
OW2 players angry over the return of Owl Guardian Mercy skin
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
The Overwatch 2 community was frustrated (again) when Blizzard announced that the Owl Guardian Mercy skin was going to be given away for free after many had purchased it earlier this year. Mercy is one of the most popular Overwatch 2 heroes out there, with many fans begging for certain skins to return. But what players didn’t expect was Blizzard giving away a skin for free after many players already …
Overwatch 2 anti-cheat going after hackers’ party members
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
If you play Overwatch 2 with cheaters, you may be the next to be banned. Overwatch 2 is not alone when it comes to having a massive hacker problem. Most popular games have fallen victim to countless cheaters that anti-cheat can’t seem to keep up with, including Fortnite, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Overwatch 2. In a blog post posted this week, Blizzard announced that it would continue to …
Overwatch 2 dev caught throwing games on stream
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
An Overwatch 2 developer was accused of throwing matches during a livestream, continuing to add to the growing rift between developers and gamers. Overwatch 2 has been a major source of controversy in the gaming community for a number of things, including the cancelation of the original PvE content vision that was promised before the game launched. It has become one of the worst-reviewed games on Steam as players continue …
Overwatch 2 PvE story missions are hard AF
Olivia Richman
Overwatch
The Overwatch 2 PvE content is finally here and while there are a lot of complaints revolving around Blizzard’s handling of PvE, it may be more challenging and replayable than originally expected. The Overwatch community was outraged when Blizzard announced that the extensive PvE content they originally promised was no longer happening. To help soothe the angry mob of gamers, Blizzard promised that PvE story missions would be coming in …
Who is Illari in Overwatch 2? Abilities, trailer, and more
Fariha Bhatti
Overwatch
Overwatch has a new support character, Illari, who draws powers from the sun to heal teammates. Here’s all we know about Illari’s abilities. The latest Overwatch 2 Invasion trailer has a lot to unpack, but fans are mostly interested in the new hero teased. Carrying a giant gun and propelling herself into the air, the new hero looks fierce. But exactly how good Illari is at supporting? Overwatch 2 has …
Overwatch 2 PVE: How does it work?
William Davis
Overwatch
Overwatch 2 shared the trailer for Invasion, a new PvE story, and here is how it works. Invasion is the biggest update for Overwatch 2 since its release. Invasion will mark the release of a new Support hero, the highly anticipated Flashpoint game mode, and the new PvE story. Ahead of the update, which is scheduled for August 10, Overwatch 2 released a trailer for the update. In it, we …
Overwatch has become a mainstay in competitive gaming, though the Blizzard creation hasn’t always had a smooth road to travel. From massive peaks of success to major controversies and dips in popularity, the Overwatch franchise has proved resilient, still playing host to legions of players and fans.
Along the way, the game served as host to one of the most ambitious projects in the growing history of esports, and saw the release of a sequel that changed in form and function multiple times before finally releasing to the public.
What is Overwatch?
Overwatch is a prototypical “hero shooter,” a game that combines first-person shooting gameplay with heroic abilities that are unique to each of the game’s diverse cast of characters. One character might swing a giant hammer and wield a protective shield behind which teammate can take cover, while another might zip around the game’s world with twin guns blazing, warping time and space at will.
That variety of characters and playing styles is a big reason for Overwatch’s success. When no two characters play exactly alike, the sheer variety available in the game becomes a draw. Throw in colorful visuals, dynamic and responsive gameplay, and action-packed battles between teams of opposing players all combining their different abilities together, and you can begin to understand the popularity of Overwatch.
When developers at Blizzard first released Overwatch, there was nothing else quite like it. The closest any major release had come was likely Team Fortress 2, which also featured teams of opposing characters wielding varied abilities in prolonged battles. But Overwatch leaned even further into the unique qualities of its characters, including their presentation. Across PCs and consoles alike, the game proved to be a sensation upon its 2016 release.
What happened to the Overwatch League?
Originally founded in 2017, the Overwatch League was meant to serve as a long-term competitive hub for the game’s professional teams and players prior to its official shutdown in 2024. The league was created with big ambitions in mind, as Blizzard, by then partnered with massive publisher Activision, planned to seed local teams in a variety of cities spread across the world. The idea was to emulate traditional professional sports by rooting pro teams in certain cities and regions in the hopes of cultivating local fan followings.
This was a big change compared what had become the standard in esports, with esports organizations representing themselves to their fans regardless of region. At most, broad regions such as North America or Europe were most often marketed to by individual teams. To hone that in on a specific city was a significant change.
Activision-Blizzard also took the step of making pro Overwatch a closed system; that is, high-level tournaments were broadly restricted outside of official OWL events. While this exclusivity offered theoretical opportunity for the OWL through scarcity, it was also a different approach relevant to the established norm in esports, which traditionally saw smaller grass-roots events feed into a game’s highest levels as tournaments gradually scaled up in prominence and prize offerings.
Demanding tens of millions of dollars from investors who sought to own an OWL team and signing big-money exclusive broadcast deals with streaming platforms, the OWL got itself off to a hot start. But concerns over flagging viewership and overall revenue struggles persisted as the league marched forward. Its intended model proved unsustainable, and the league was eventually shut down.
Do people still play Overwatch?
Despite the fate of OWL, Overwatch remains broadly popular in its current form: Overwatch 2. The game remains under active development at Activision-Blizzard, regularly receiving new in-game events and more unique heroes with special abilities that allow the game to be played in different ways.
The release of Overwatch 2 was itself not without some controversy, as Blizzard’s plans for its contents changed and shifted through the sequel’s development cycle, and the final version of OW2 released as more of a continuation of the original game than a distinctly different sequel. But that continuation still preserved the gameplay and overall experience so many players had come to love about OW. For them, getting more of the same ultimately was not an issue.
