Your Watch Begins as Overwatch Launches on May 24

Written by Contributor

March 11, 2016

image003

Pre-purchase the team-based shooter of tomorrow TODAY at www.playoverwatch.com/buy and get a head start on the open beta for you and a friend

Assemble your team and prepare your defenses—the fight for the future is about to begin! Blizzard Entertainment today announced that Overwatch™ will arrive in stores on Windows® PC, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and Xbox One starting May 24.†† Heroes from around the world can join the coming conflict by pre-purchasing Blizzard’s team-based first-person shooter today at www.playoverwatch.com/buy.

In addition to receiving the previously revealed Noire skin for Widowmaker, Overwatch’s ice-cold assassin, players who preorder or pre-purchase the game for PC, PS4™ system, or Xbox One will also get a two-day head start on the upcoming Overwatch open beta for themselves and a friend. In the open beta, players will have an opportunity to play all 21 heroes and experience the intense action, tactical depth, and vibrant world of Overwatch prior to the game’s release. Following the head-start period on May 3–4 for those who have preordered, gamers everywhere will be able to assemble a team of friends and check out the game free during the all-access period from May 5–9. To learn more about the open beta, players can visit the official website.

Overwatch is a team shooter for everyone, with deep, cooperative gameplay, fast and fun competitive action, and a diverse range of larger-than-life heroes,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We think PC and console players everywhere will have a great time in the game, and we’re excited to give everyone a chance to try Overwatch out for themselves ahead of its May 24 launch.”

The Story So Far. . . .

In Overwatch, players join the ranks of a legendary force of soldiers, scientists, adventurers, and oddities, and clash on the battlefields of a near-future Earth. The game features a diverse cast of 21 heroes—each with their own unique arsenal of extraordinary weapons and incredible abilities. Teamwork is critical as players complete objectives, swap heroes on the fly, and combine their powers to game-changing effect—the action is intense, immediate, and fun.

Since the world last caught up with Overwatch at BlizzCon® 2015, Blizzard has introduced a number of game features in the ongoing closed beta test. In a new map type, Control, teams battle to capture and hold objectives in locations such as an omnic village in the mountains of Nepal and a high-tech skyscraper in a Chinese metropolis. Overwatch’s new progression system awards players with Loot Boxes containing an array of cosmetic items to personalize heroes, including sprays, emotes, voice lines, and skins such as Punk Tracer and Safari Winston.

In addition to Quick Play mode, which automatically matches players with teammates and opponents of similar skill online, players can test their mettle against computer-controlled opponents in a new Play Vs. AI mode, while Custom Games allow players to set special rules for hero switching, damage modifiers, and more. And there’s more to come in the future: Blizzard plans to patch in new heroes and maps post-launch at no additional cost. To keep up with the latest Overwatch news, head to the official website.

Meanwhile, In Stores Everywhere. . . .

Windows PC, PS4™ system, and Xbox One gamers will be able to join the fight for the future by picking up Overwatch: Origins Edition (SRP: PhP 2,690 for PC, PhP 2,990 for consoles), which comes with hero skins for five characters based on their storied pasts—Blackwatch Reyes (Reaper), Strike-Commander Morrison (Soldier: 76), Overgrown Bastion, Security Chief Pharah, and Slipstream Tracer. It also includes a cache of Overwatch-themed content for several Blizzard Entertainment games, including a Baby Winston pet for World of Warcraft®, Tracer hero for Heroes of the Storm®, and more—visit www.playoverwatch.com/buy for the complete Origins Edition details.†††

Overwatch will also be available in a limited-edition, retail-only Collector’s Edition (SRP $129.99, Windows/PS4™ system/Xbox One, availability in Southeast Asia will be announced at a later date), which contains the digital content from Origins Edition along with a full-color visual sourcebook, the Overwatch soundtrack, and a high-quality collectible statue of Soldier: 76—the vigilante alter ego of former Overwatch commander Jack Morrison. Windows PC gamers also have the option to download a digital PC edition (PhP 1,830, digital only), which provides the core Overwatch experience.

Overwatch will be available in English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, European Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Russian, Korean (PC only), Japanese (PC and PS4™ system only), and traditional and simplified Chinese (PC only).†† Overwatch has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

For more information about Overwatch, visit the official website. For screenshots, videos, and other media, visit the Blizzard Entertainment press site at http://blizzard.gamespress.com/overwatch.

With multiple games in development, Blizzard has numerous positions currently available—visit http://jobs.blizzard.com for more information and to learn how to apply.

Offer available by pre-purchasing digitally through www.playoverwatch.com/buy or preordering at select retailers until April 29, 2016—players should check with their local retailer to find out whether they are participating. Players who previously pre-purchased or pre-ordered Overwatch at participating retailers are also eligible to participate—players should contact their store for details.

††Beta/launch plans for mainland China will be announced at a later date.

†††Battle.net account required. World of Warcraft, StarCraft® II, Heroes of the Storm®, and Diablo® III content available on Windows/Mac®. Hearthstone® content available on Windows/Mac/iOS/Android. Heroes of the Storm Tracer hero will also be available separately—further details will be announced at a later date.

Facebook Comments

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is Now Available

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is Now Available

Capcom released the highly anticipated action RPG Dragon’s Dogma 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. To celebrate the release, we have released a commemorative illustration and the latest trailer! Daigo Ikeno, the art director of this title, drew...

Unicorn Overlord Review: Deserving of a Crown

Unicorn Overlord Review: Deserving of a Crown

So, if anyone saw my video reviewing 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. You would all know that I’m quite a fan of Vanillaware’s work. Odin’s Sphere, Grim-well, not that. Though Muramasa, Dragon’s Crown, and of course 13 Sentinels have a special place in my heart. That and the...