“The world could always use more heroes”—and today, the watch begins for gamers around the globe. After drawing more than 9.7 million players to Blizzard Entertainment’s biggest open beta ever, Overwatch—the company’s team-based first-person shooter—is now live on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One!
Overwatch takes place on a near-future Earth, where teams of soldiers, scientists, adventurers, and oddities clash for control of key locations around the world, from serene castle grounds in Japan to mech-production facilities in the wintry heart of Russia. The game features a diverse cast of 21 unique heroes—including Tracer, the time-jumping adventurer; McCree, the outlaw gunslinger; and Winston, the brilliant gorilla scientist—each armed with signature weapons and awe-inspiring abilities. These extraordinary characters must team up and work together to complete critical objectives in a variety of unique play modes, including Assault, Escort, and Control. Players are able to swap heroes to adapt to the ever-changing situation on the battlefield—the action is fast and fun, and the tactical possibilities are endless.
“We’re thrilled to welcome console and PC gamers everywhere to the future world of Overwatch,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’ve worked hard to create a team shooter that anyone can enjoy, with rewarding cooperative gameplay, fast-paced competitive action, and a diverse cast of awesome heroes that we’re proud to add to the Blizzard family. We think shooter veterans and anyone new to the genre will find that Overwatch is an absolute blast to play.”
Different Ways to Play
Overwatch features a variety of game modes for heroes of every kind. Quick Play automatically matches players with allies and opponents of a similar skill level—a quick and easy way to jump into the fight. Play Vs. AI mode pits a team of human players against computer-controlled opponents, with multiple difficulty settings to choose from. Custom Games allow teams of friends to tweak the game’s rules, while the wild Weekly Brawl! offers up an unexpected challenge every week, like “Justice Rains from Above” (an aerial extravaganza starring rocket-powered Pharah and Mercy, the high-flying healer) and the intense “Arcade” brawl, which features more health, faster cooldowns, and quick respawns. And there’s more to come: some time after launch, players looking for the ultimate team challenge will be able to test their mettle, earn ranks, and show off their skill in Competitive Play. Blizzard also plans to patch in new heroes and maps in the future at no additional cost.
As players compete in matches—win or lose—they’ll level up and earn Loot Boxes; each containing an assortment of in-game credits or up to four cosmetic items to customise their heroes, including skins, sprays, voice lines, and new animations. Loot Boxes can also contain legendary skins that dramatically alter their heroes’ appearance, such as the dashing and adventurous Safari Winston, or Young Genji—a version of Overwatch’s mysterious ninja from before he received his cybernetic enhancements.
Gamers can join the fight for the future today by purchasing Overwatch: Origins Edition (RRP $89.95 AUD / $104.99 NZD on Windows PC; $99.95 AUD / $114.99 NZD on PS4™ system/Xbox One) fromwww.playoverwatch.com/buy. Overwatch: Origins Edition comes with a collection of hero skins that provide players with insight into five characters’ pasts—Blackwatch Reyes (Reaper), Strike-Commander Morrison (Soldier: 76), Overgrown Bastion, Security Chief Pharah, and Slipstream Tracer—as well as a cache of goodies for several Blizzard Entertainment games, including glowing Mercy wings for Diablo III, a Baby Winston pet for World of Warcraft, a set of heroic StarCraft®II portraits, an Overwatch-themed Hearthstone card back, and the playable Tracer hero for Heroes of the Storm.
Overwatch is also available in a limited-edition, retail-only Collector’s Edition (RRP $189.95 AUD / $214.99 NZD on Windows PC; RRP $199.95 AUD / $229.99 NZD, PS4 system / Xbox One) which contains all of the content listed above along with a full-colour source book, the Overwatch soundtrack, and a high-quality collectible statue of Soldier: 76—the vigilante alter ego of former Overwatch commander Jack Morrison. Quantities are limited; players should check with their local retailer for availability. Windows PC gamers also have the option to download a digital PC edition ($69.95 AUD digital only), which includes all 21 heroes and provides players with the core Overwatch experience.
Players on any platform looking to augment their collection of skins, sprays, and other cosmetic goodies may also purchase the same Loot Boxes that they can earn through gameplay. On PC, these are available in quantities of 2 for $2.95 AUD, 5 for $7.35 AUD, 11 for $14.95 AUD, 24 for $29.95 AUD, and 50 for $59.95 AUD. Console pricing may vary by region.
Although he has been gaming since the Sega Mega Drive launched in 1990, he still sucks at most games. When not being trash he watches French horror films, drinks herbal tea and secretly loves the music of Taylor Swift.
