Overwatch: Post Launch Plans

Overwatch: Post Launch Plans

It's been 2 weeks since the very successful launch of Overwatch. Over 7 million players across 3 platforms bought the game in its first week alone. And now, people are curious as to what's next for Overwatch. Here's a short rundown of Eurogamer's interview with Overwatch's game director Jeff Kaplan.  

Competitive play

  • is still coming late June (projected date keeps shifting internally)
  • will be more skill-based rather than the “progression-based” one implemented during the beta. There will be no safety nets – you’ll go down/lose points when you lose.
  • There will be a dynamic queue just like quick match. The game will try to match you against a group of similar size. If the queue time takes too long, server will be less strict and try to match you against a different sized group.
  • They will be keeping an eye on the matchmaking and are open to discussion.

 

Server tick rates

  • There’s a general misunderstanding in the community regarding tick rates
  • In most cases, the usual problems are with the latency not the tick/update rates
  • The servers operate at 60Hz but the client update rate is lower(20Hz)
  • They already have a high bandwidth option that allows for 60Hz update rate
    • Currently limited to custom games
    • If they switch quickmatch to 60Hz update rate, 20% of the population might not be able to play
    • They’re looking for more feedback

overwatch

Hero balance

  • McCree
    • change is straightforward
    • Nerf to fan the hammer damage
    • They want McCree to be a counter for heroes like Tracer, Genji and Reaper
    • He should not be able to shred tanks easily.
    • Will be coming sooner than D.Va changes
  • D.Va
    • They’re still exploring options
    • Will take longer to pinpoint.
    • D.Va’s not in a horrible position, but could be better
  • Platform implementation
    • They expect the changes to hit all 3 platforms at the same time

 

Play of the game

  • They’re working on it but it’s not on the immediate horizon
  • Would like to show more PotGs that are fun to watch
  • They feel that they can refine how they are PotGs are shown. Possibly work on the camera angles
  • about 70% of the current PotGs are actually really cool moments that people feel pretty happy about.

 

New content

  • parts of the team are already working on patches for the end of the year and early next year
  • they don’t know what the right cadence should be. They want to get a feel from the community as to how much content is released.
  • Hero releases.
    • The team felt that releasing Mei, D.Va and Genji at the same time was too disruptive
    • They will release heroes one at a time until they feel the game stabilizes
    • They want to be careful about overdoing it with a patch.
  • They have placed more hints about Sombra out there that the community hasn’t found yet

 

Console crossplay

  • No progress but they are very open-minded about it.
  • They’re going to wait and gather feedback from developers and fans

Read more about Overwatch  and check the cheapest CD Key for Overwatch!

 

  • Official website : Overwatch
  • Categories : Action, First-Person Shooter
  • Editor : Blizzard Entertainment
  • Developer : Blizzard Entertainment
  • Mode(s) : Multiplayer, Co-op
  • Release date : 24 May 2016
  •     Switch : 15 October 2019