Greg Miller

last year and those betas hitting and all this stuff right like i think that lights a fire under you in a way where it is all right what what is the genre moving towards like what are people looking for in a first-person shooter nowadays can we have our cake and eat it too by having a valorant style mode and then also you know being overwatch at the same time can we use the overwatch systems that are already there and create a valorant style thing that's going to be exciting in a

I think they're just experimenting right now. Those are questions.

I think they're just experimenting right now. Those are questions.

Oh, interesting. Well, that's the thing is, as I go through this article, there's a lot they added here.

Oh, interesting. Well, that's the thing is, as I go through this article, there's a lot they added here.

I'm with you. I don't... I need hands on it. Because reading it on paper, I'm with you that I don't understand how this works. Because Overwatch is just a completely different type of game than a Counter-Strike or a Valorant is. But, like, I don't know. If they find out a way to contextualize Overwatch's, like, that feel, those mechanics into a... I assume it is a thing. Actually, no.

I'm with you. I don't... I need hands on it. Because reading it on paper, I'm with you that I don't understand how this works. Because Overwatch is just a completely different type of game than a Counter-Strike or a Valorant is. But, like, I don't know. If they find out a way to contextualize Overwatch's, like, that feel, those mechanics into a... I assume it is a thing. Actually, no.

I think they get into it here later in the article. Reintroducing loot boxes may be a polarizing move as games that implement them have received backlash over the years for their predatory nature. Blizzard removed them from Overwatch a few years ago in favor of an in-game shop when it restructured its monetization model after going free-to-play.

I think they get into it here later in the article. Reintroducing loot boxes may be a polarizing move as games that implement them have received backlash over the years for their predatory nature. Blizzard removed them from Overwatch a few years ago in favor of an in-game shop when it restructured its monetization model after going free-to-play.

The company will responsibly publicize drop rates and is guaranteeing that you'll receive an item of rare rarity or better in each box, plus a guaranteed epic after opening 5 and a legendary after opening 20.

The company will responsibly publicize drop rates and is guaranteeing that you'll receive an item of rare rarity or better in each box, plus a guaranteed epic after opening 5 and a legendary after opening 20.

We're not sure whether you'll still be able to purchase cosmetics directly from a rotating in-game shop, but you can earn loot boxes as part of weekly and event rewards, and you can get up to three guaranteed legendary loot boxes in each seasonal battle pass. Stadium is arguably the biggest change announced in Overwatch 2 so far.

We're not sure whether you'll still be able to purchase cosmetics directly from a rotating in-game shop, but you can earn loot boxes as part of weekly and event rewards, and you can get up to three guaranteed legendary loot boxes in each seasonal battle pass. Stadium is arguably the biggest change announced in Overwatch 2 so far.

The new gameplay mode is a best-of-seven romp between two teams of five that's akin to Counter-Strike Go or Valorant. You'll earn currency each round with rotating maps and objectives alternating between control, clash, and push.

The new gameplay mode is a best-of-seven romp between two teams of five that's akin to Counter-Strike Go or Valorant. You'll earn currency each round with rotating maps and objectives alternating between control, clash, and push.

The cash goes towards upgrades for your hero that are unique to the mode, whether you're unlocking an ability or upgrading it with enhanced potency or transformative effects that buff your offense and team utility. You can even choose between first-person or third-person POVs.

The cash goes towards upgrades for your hero that are unique to the mode, whether you're unlocking an ability or upgrading it with enhanced potency or transformative effects that buff your offense and team utility. You can even choose between first-person or third-person POVs.

It's getting its own ranked queue, too, and launches with 14 heroes to start, with more planned to be added in future updates alongside a steady rollout of new maps. Season 16 will also introduce Freya, a high mobility character who can dash horizontally and jump vertically while wielding a dual mode crossbow that enables both rapid fire shooting and precision sniping.

It's getting its own ranked queue, too, and launches with 14 heroes to start, with more planned to be added in future updates alongside a steady rollout of new maps. Season 16 will also introduce Freya, a high mobility character who can dash horizontally and jump vertically while wielding a dual mode crossbow that enables both rapid fire shooting and precision sniping.

You'll be able to play her for a bit during a trial weekend in Season 15. Blizzard is also teasing a new character for Season 18 named Aqua, appropriately named for his water-based abilities. As for the new perk system, it promises to enhance all of the game's heroes with two unique upgrades per match.