''Overwatch'' is a
multimedia franchise
A media franchise, also known as a multimedia franchise, is a collection of related media in which several derivative works have been produced from an original creative work of fiction, such as a film, a work of literature, a television program or ...
centered on a series of online multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) video games developed by
Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, the company was founded on February 8, 1991, under the name Silicon & Synapse, Inc. by three graduat ...
: ''
Overwatch
''Overwatch'' is a multimedia franchise centered on a series of online multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) video games developed by Blizzard Entertainment: ''Overwatch'' released in 2016, and ''Overwatch 2'' released in 2022. Both games fea ...
'' released in 2016, and ''
Overwatch 2
''Overwatch 2'' is a 2022 first-person shooter by Blizzard Entertainment. As a sequel to the 2016 hero shooter ''Overwatch'', the game intends a shared environment for player-versus-player (PvP) modes while introducing persistent cooperative m ...
'' released in 2022. Both games feature
hero-based combat between two teams of players vying over various objectives, along with other traditional gameplay modes. With the launch of ''Overwatch 2'', the roster of selectable heroes has grown to 35.
Released in 2016, the first video game in the series lacked a traditional story mode. Instead, Blizzard employed a
transmedia storytelling
Transmedia storytelling (also known as transmedia narrative or multiplatform storytelling) is the technique of telling a single story or story experience across multiple platforms and formats using current digital technologies.
From a producti ...
strategy to disseminate lore regarding the game's characters, releasing
comics
a medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically the form of a sequence of panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, captions, and onomatopoeia can indicate ...
and other literary media, as well as
animated media that includes short films. The game enjoyed both critical and commercial success, and garnered a devoted following. In addition to more traditional fan art, the game also spawned
fan-produced pornographic content which attracted considerable media attention.
Blizzard helped launch and promote an esports scene surrounding the game, including an annual
Overwatch World Cup
The Overwatch World Cup (OWWC) is an annual international ''Overwatch'' esports tournament organized by Blizzard Entertainment, the game's developer, with the first edition taking place in 2016. The tournament ran every year until 2019; after a t ...
, as well as a
league
League or The League may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Leagues'' (band), an American rock band
* ''The League'', an American sitcom broadcast on FX and FXX about fantasy football
Sports
* Sports league
* Rugby league, full contact footba ...
and its
developmental minor league, which borrowed elements found in traditional American sports leagues. In 2022,
a sequel was released.
Premise
Omnic Crisis
''Overwatch'' is set sixty years into the future of a fictionalized Earth, as well as thirty years after the "Omnic Crisis" is resolved and six years after the Petras Act is signed.
[
Omnics are artificial intelligence (AI) robots that were created to assist humans in manufacturing and global economic equality efforts.] During this period, humanity prospered as omnics helped stabilize society.[
The Omnic Crisis involved "omniums" (large facilities that churned out omnics) beginning to produce hostile omnics, many of which were ]bastion
A bastion or bulwark is a structure projecting outward from the curtain wall of a fortification, most commonly angular in shape and positioned at the corners of the fort. The fully developed bastion consists of two faces and two flanks, with fi ...
units.[ These hostile omnics began attacking humans, beginning their assault in Russia.][ Individual nations initially responded to the crisis with their own programs.] The United States launched the secret Soldier Enhancement Program, modifying soldiers into mercenaries. Jack Morrison and Gabriel Reyes
Gabriel Martelino Reyes (March 24, 1892 – October 10, 1952) was the 28th archbishop of Manila, and the first native Filipino to hold that post. He previously served as Archbishop of Cebu from 1934 to 1949, and then served as Archbishop of Mani ...
were among the most notable test subjects of the program. Meanwhile, Germany responded to the crisis through the Crusaders, an elite force of soldiers heavily suited in armor inspired by knight
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the Gr ...
s and wielding weapons such as hammers. The Crusaders were led by Balderich von Adler, until he handed the reigns to a young Reinhardt Willhelm following a battle in Eichenwalde.[
Removed from the crisis, scientists on the moon-based Horizon Lunar Colony create genetically modified animals to test long-term habitation in space. Among these animals is an ape named Winston. Other apes on the colony start a revolt, killing all scientists in the process. However, Winston creates a rocket and escapes to Earth.][
While Russia opted to handle the waves of omnics on their own, nations failed to quell the crisis individually.][ As a result, the United Nations (UN) assembled Overwatch, a strike team led by Reyes and Morrison.][ Reyes served as Overwatch's Strike Commander, leading the task force that included Morrison, Wilhelm, Egyptian sniper Ana Amari, Swedish weapons engineer Torbjörn Lindholm, and Singaporean AI scientist Dr. Mina Liao.] Within a few years, the Omnic Crisis was declared over and Overwatch transitioned toward being a peacekeeping organization.[
]
Overwatch Generation and Blackwatch
After the end of the crisis, an ensuing golden age
The term Golden Age comes from Greek mythology, particularly the ''Works and Days'' of Hesiod, and is part of the description of temporal decline of the state of peoples through five Ages of Man, Ages, Gold being the first and the one during ...
of heroism and global peace was dubbed the "Overwatch Generation". Despite this, separate human–omnic conflicts sprung up in Korea and Australia.[ Meanwhile, the Indian-based Vishkar Corporation developed a technology that allowed its users, or "architechs", to create physical objects with light. Vishkar took this technology to ]Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
and while initially well-intentioned, the corporation began to abuse Rio's population.[ A group of omnics called the Shambali also emerged. Led by Tekhartha Mondatta, they believe that omnics possess a soul and aim to revitalize human–omnic relations.][
A growing rift between Morrison and Reyes arose after the former was promoted to Strike Commander.][ After Reyes lost command of Overwatch, he took control of Blackwatch, a covert operations unit.][ American bounty hunter ]Cole Cassidy
Cole Cassidy is a character from the 2016 video game ''Overwatch (video game), Overwatch'', a Blizzard Entertainment–developed first-person shooter. Originally named Jesse McCree after a developer at Blizzard, the character's name was changed ...
, Irish geneticist Moira O'Deorain, and Japanese cyborg ninja Genji Shimada joined as members of Blackwatch.[ The latter was part of the eponymous Shimada Clan crime family alongside his brother, Hanzo. After a falling out, the family ordered Hanzo to kill Genji. On the brink of death, Genji was rehabilitated into a cyborg by Overwatch medical director Angela Ziegler.][
]
Fall of Overwatch
A terrorist organization, Null Sector, meanwhile emerges in London. Lacking rights in England, omnics are forced to live in the Underworld, a city beneath the streets of London. Composed of these omnics facing persecution following the Omnic Crisis' conclusion, Null Sector launches a surprise attack on King's Row.[ Dismissing orders from the British Prime Minister, Morrison deploys Overwatch agents Wilhelm, Lindholm, Ziegler, and the newly-recruited Lena Oxton on an ultimately successful mission to stop Null Sector's forces.][
Blackwatch is enlisted to fight against Talon, a terrorist threat seeking to set off another crisis.][ While in Italy on a covert operation to kidnap Talon's leader, Reyes ultimately kills him, exposing Blackwatch to the public.][ Public distrust in the organization begins to swell and the UN launches an investigation into Blackwatch following their fiasco in Italy.][ Already in a strained relationship, Morrison and Reyes find themselves at further odds with each other as a result. An argument between the two at Overwatch's headquarters in Switzerland ends in an explosion, after which both are presumed dead.]
After these events, the UN signed the Petras Act, outlawing any further activity by Overwatch.[ As any other action would be deemed illegal, Overwatch disbanded.][
Both Morrison and Reyes end up surviving, however. Morrison begins a vigilante crusade under the name Soldier: 76 against Overwatch's former enemies. Reyes is able to render himself temporarily incorporeal as a result of a life-saving procedure conducted by O'Deorain. Now operating under the name ]Reaper
A reaper is a agricultural machinery, farm implement or person that wikt:reap#Verb, reaps (cuts and often also gathers) crops at harvest when they are ripe. Usually the crop involved is a cereal grass. The first documented reaping machines were ...
, Reyes joins Talon.[
]
Recall
Six years after the Petras Act is signed, a second Omnic Crisis emerges in Russia. Staying at Watchpoint, a former Overwatch facility based in Gibraltar
)
, anthem = " God Save the King"
, song = " Gibraltar Anthem"
, image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg
, map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe
, map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green
, mapsize =
, image_map2 = Gib ...
, Winston follows the developing situation. Reaper then breaks into Watchpoint and attacks Winston. While Winston is able to thwart Reaper, the latter's attack is the catalyst for the former's issuing of a recall of former Overwatch agents.[ Oxton, known by the call sign Tracer, is the first to answer; she is later followed by Genji, Wilhelm, Lindholm, Cassidy, and Ziegler, known by the call sign ]Mercy
Mercy (Middle English, from Anglo-French ''merci'', from Medieval Latin ''merced-'', ''merces'', from Latin, "price paid, wages", from ''merc-'', ''merxi'' "merchandise") is benevolence, forgiveness, and kindness in a variety of ethical, relig ...
.[
After the recall, Reaper and Talon sniper Amélie Lacroix (known as Widowmaker) attempt to steal a gauntlet for their leader Akande Ogundimu.][ They are stopped by Winston and Oxton, known by the call sign Tracer. Widowmaker later assassinates Mondatta as he gives a speech in London.][
]
Development
Prior to the original game's announcement, Blizzard had been interested in making a team-based multiplayer shooter for a while. ''Overwatch'' has its development origins rooted in ''Titan
Titan most often refers to:
* Titan (moon), the largest moon of Saturn
* Titans, a race of deities in Greek mythology
Titan or Titans may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment
Fictional entities
Fictional locations
* Titan in fiction, fictiona ...
'', a Blizzard project that was cancelled in 2013. Elements of ''Titan'' were reworked into ''Overwatch'', which was announced at BlizzCon
BlizzCon is an annual gaming convention held by Blizzard Entertainment to promote its major franchises including ''Warcraft'', ''StarCraft'', '' Diablo'', '' Hearthstone'', ''Heroes of the Storm,'' and ''Overwatch''.
The first BlizzCon was hel ...
in November 2014.[ ''Overwatch'' became Blizzard's first new series since they launched '' Diablo'' in 1996, as well as their first attempt at making an FPS game.][ After the game's announcement, '']Polygon
In geometry, a polygon () is a plane figure that is described by a finite number of straight line segments connected to form a closed ''polygonal chain'' (or ''polygonal circuit''). The bounded plane region, the bounding circuit, or the two toge ...
'' wrote that it "appears to feature Blizzard's signature chunky, slightly cartoonish style."[ A beta for the game was launched in 2015.][
]Jeff Kaplan
Jeffrey Kaplan is an American video game designer and former vice president of Blizzard Entertainment, a position he held until he left the company in 2021. He designed elements of ''World of Warcraft'' and is the former lead director of ''Overwa ...
, Michael Chu, and Scott Mercer served as the game's lead director, lead writer, and principal game designer, respectively. Blizzard hired writer Alyssa Wong
Alyssa Wong is an American writer of speculative fiction, comics, poetry, and games. Wong is a recipient of the Nebula Award, World Fantasy Award, and Locus Award.
Wong studied fiction at North Carolina State University, graduating in 2017 ...
to ''Overwatch''s writing team in 2018. Kaplan departed from Blizzard in April 2021, after which Aaron Keller took over Kaplan's duties as lead director.
After the release of ''Overwatch'', Blizzard's developers continued to add to the game through free updates, introducing new characters, maps, game modes, and cosmetic items, often as part of seasonal events
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and pola ...
. The different gameplays of individual heroes were also tuned and patched in response to player feedback and statistics regarding the meta found within the game. As Kaplan followed a philosophy that emphasized players' perception of game balance, he affirmed that meta shifts to ''Overwatch'' were beholden to its players and not its developers; '' Heroes Never Die'' wrote on Kaplan's belief that if the community thought ''Overwatch''s meta was broken, then it actually was and vice versa.
Games
''Overwatch'' series
The original ''Overwatch
''Overwatch'' is a multimedia franchise centered on a series of online multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) video games developed by Blizzard Entertainment: ''Overwatch'' released in 2016, and ''Overwatch 2'' released in 2022. Both games fea ...
'' game was released by Blizzard on May 24, 2016, for PC platforms, as well as eighth generation console platforms PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15, 2013, in North America, November 29, 2013 in ...
and Xbox One
The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third base console in the Xbox series of video game consoles. It was first released in North America, parts of ...
. A version of the game developed by Iron Galaxy
Iron Galaxy Studios, LLC is an American video game developer studio founded on August 14, 2008, and based in Chicago, Illinois, with a second studio in Orlando, Florida that was opened in 2012 and a third studio in Austin, Texas. Iron Galaxy ...
for the Nintendo Switch
The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a Tablet computer#Gaming tablet, tablet that can either be docking station, docked for use as a home video ...
was later released on October 15, 2019. Blizzard shut down servers for the game on October 3, 2022.
Blizzard released ''Overwatch 2
''Overwatch 2'' is a 2022 first-person shooter by Blizzard Entertainment. As a sequel to the 2016 hero shooter ''Overwatch'', the game intends a shared environment for player-versus-player (PvP) modes while introducing persistent cooperative m ...
'' via early access
Early access, also known as alpha access, alpha founding, paid alpha, or game preview, is a funding model in the video game industry by which consumers can purchase and play a game in the various pre-release development cycles, such as pre-alph ...
on October 4, 2022. The game was made free-to-play on PC and for the PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 4 in April 2019, it was launched on November 12, 2020, in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North Ame ...
and Xbox Series S/X platforms, and employed full cross-platform play.
''Heroes of the Storm'' crossover
Until the warm reception of ''Overwatch''s beta, Blizzard was unsure of representing ''Overwatch'' characters in ''Heroes of the Storm
''Heroes of the Storm'' is a crossover multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It was released for Microsoft Windows and macOS on June 2, 2015. The game features various characters from Bli ...
'', their crossover multiplayer battle online arena (MOBA) video game. Around a month prior to the release of ''Overwatch'', Blizzard added Tracer to the MOBA; ''PC Gamer
''PC Gamer'' is a magazine and website founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future plc. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games ma ...
'' called Tracer's addition to the game "a marketing move or ''Overwatch''
Or or OR may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Film and television
* "O.R.", a 1974 episode of M*A*S*H
* Or (My Treasure), a 2004 movie from Israel (''Or'' means "light" in Hebrew)
Music
* ''Or'' (album), a 2002 album by Golden Boy with Mis ...
for sure." Afterwards, other characters and map elements from ''Overwatch'' were incorporated into ''Heroes''. By the time the game transitioned to a permanent maintenance mode in July 2022, a total of nine characters became playable in ''Heroes of the Storm'', while battlegrounds based on the ''Overwatch'' maps Hanamura and Volskaya Industries were also included. A number of ''Overwatch''-themed skins have been introduced for ''Heroes of the Storm''s "''Overwatch'' cosplay" event in May 2021.
Esports
While not originally developed with esport support in mind, ''Overwatch'' would see a considerable esport scene prop up around the franchise shortly after its first game's release. According to Kaplan, although Blizzard had success with committing to esports while developing ''Starcraft II
''StarCraft II'' is a military science fiction video game created by Blizzard Entertainment as a sequel to the successful ''StarCraft'' video game released in 1998. Set in a fictional future, the game centers on a galactic struggle for dominance a ...
'', they found "it's dangerous to be overly committed to esport too early in the lifespan of the game."[ To avoid sacrificing approachability as they did with ''Starcraft II'', Blizzard opted to gauge how the ''Overwatch'' community would develop around esports over time as they did with '']Hearthstone
''Hearthstone'' is a free-to-play online digital collectible card game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Originally subtitled ''Heroes of Warcraft'', ''Hearthstone'' builds upon the existing lore of the ''Warcraft'' series by u ...
''. This included the introduction of the game's competitive mode some months after the game's launch after seeing how players took towards ''Overwatch''; Blizzard saw the ladder-approach they used as a means for skilled players to reach high ranks as to be noticed by esport team organizers. ESPN
ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
and ''Gamasutra
''Game Developer'', known as ''Gamasutra'' until 2021, is a website founded in 1997 that focuses on aspects of video game development. It is owned and operated by Informa and acts as the online sister publication to the print magazine '' Gam ...
'' wrote that the game had a favorable foundation to succeed as an esports title, citing the game's sufficient difference from established esports games, its variety in maps and characters, and strong support from its developer, as well as its speed and short match times.
The first organized, prize-winning competitions for ''Overwatch'' started in mid-2016, a few months after launch. The esports organizer ESL
English as a second or foreign language is the use of English by speakers with different native languages. Language education for people learning English may be known as English as a second language (ESL), English as a foreign language (EF ...
held the first international ''Overwatch'' competition in August 2016, dubbed the ''Overwatch'' Atlantic Showdown. The competition used four open qualifiers beginning in June, followed by regional qualifiers and then a final online qualifier. Eight teams then competed for a six-figure prize in the finals to be held at Gamescom
Gamescom (stylized as gamescom) is a trade fair for video games held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Since 2018, it has been organised by ''game – Verband der deutschen Games-Branche'' (English: Associa ...
2016 from August 20 to 21. Turner Broadcasting
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (alternatively known as Turner Entertainment Networks from 2019 until 2022) was an American television and media conglomerate. Founded by Ted Turner and based in Atlanta, Georgia, it merged with Time Warner (lat ...
's ELeague
''ELeague'', shortened as ''EL'', and stylized as ''ΞLEAGUE'' is an esports league and American television show that airs on TBS. It was announced in September 2015 as a partnership between Turner Broadcasting and talent agency WME/IMG. T ...
announced the first ''Overwatch Open'' tournament, starting in July 2016, with a total prize pool of $300,000, with plans to broadcast the finals on Turner's cable channel TBS in September 2016.
Blizzard announced its own official Overwatch World Cup
The Overwatch World Cup (OWWC) is an annual international ''Overwatch'' esports tournament organized by Blizzard Entertainment, the game's developer, with the first edition taking place in 2016. The tournament ran every year until 2019; after a t ...
(OWWC) tournament in August 2016. The first annual OWWC would be played later that November at BlizzCon 2016,[ where Blizzard also announced the formation of their ]Overwatch League
The Overwatch League (OWL) is a professional esports league for the video game ''Overwatch'', produced by its developer, Blizzard Entertainment. The Overwatch League follows the model of other traditional North American professional sporting lea ...
(OWL).
The OWL borrowed various elements from traditional sports leagues like the National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...
(NFL), including a developmental league called Overwatch Contenders
Overwatch Contenders (OWC) is an international esports league for the video game ''Overwatch'' that is organized by Blizzard Entertainment. The series acts as the development league for aspiring Overwatch League (OWL) professionals. Founded in 2 ...
(OWC). The OWL also implemented permanent teams organized in league placements rather than the use of promotion and relegation
In sports leagues, promotion and relegation is a process where teams are transferred between multiple divisions based on their performance for the completed season. Leagues that use promotion and relegation systems are often called open leagues. ...
. The OWL secured billionaire sports team owners to become OWL team owners and established 12 franchises around the world by September 2017, with plans to expand further in later seasons. Contracted players on these franchises are guaranteed a minimum salary, benefits, and revenue sharing.[ Preseason games for the inaugural OWL season took place in December 2017. The first OWL regular season game was played between the ]Los Angeles Valiant
Los Angeles Valiant (stylized as VΛLIΛNT) is an American professional Overwatch (video game)#Esports, ''Overwatch'' esports team representing the city of Los Angeles, California, although the team is operated in China. Valiant compete in the O ...
and San Francisco Shock
The San Francisco Shock are an American professional ''Overwatch'' esports team based in San Francisco, California. The Shock compete in the Overwatch League (OWL) as a member of the league's West region. Founded in 2017, the San Francisco Shock ...
to a sold out crowd at Blizzard Arena
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and video game publisher, publisher based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, the company was founded on February 8, 1991, under the name Silicon & Synapse, ...
in January 2018. To support viewership of its professional competitions, Blizzard released a companion ''Overwatch'' application in November 2018, which allowed viewers to watch matches through a spectator mode.
''Overwatch'' achieved a high level of popularity as an esport in South Korea, with the first game surpassing ''League of Legends
''League of Legends'' (''LoL''), commonly referred to as ''League'', is a 2009 multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Riot Games. Inspired by ''Defense of the Ancients'', a Mod (video games), custom map for War ...
'' and topping gaming cafés in the country in terms of player count. The game also influenced the creation of an esports tournament in the region, under the brand name "APEX
The apex is the highest point of something. The word may also refer to:
Arts and media Fictional entities
* Apex (comics), a teenaged super villainess in the Marvel Universe
* Ape-X, a super-intelligent ape in the Squadron Supreme universe
*Apex ...
", which operated until January 2018.
Other media
''Overwatch'' was developed to lack a traditional story or campaign mode and instead Blizzard conveyed narrative elements through a transmedia storytelling
Transmedia storytelling (also known as transmedia narrative or multiplatform storytelling) is the technique of telling a single story or story experience across multiple platforms and formats using current digital technologies.
From a producti ...
method. While voice lines and map elements in ''Overwatch'' reveal some of its universe's lore, the bulk of the story surrounding its characters
Character or Characters may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Literature
* ''Character'' (novel), a 1936 Dutch novel by Ferdinand Bordewijk
* ''Characters'' (Theophrastus), a classical Greek set of character sketches attributed to The ...
is told through animated short films and literary media.[ Character biographies and fake news reports containing story pieces have also been published on Blizzard's website.] Chu remarked that Blizzard's method of storytelling with ''Overwatch'' demonstrated a "gameplay first" philosophy.
Animations
As part of the original game's announcement, Blizzard released an animated "cinematic trailer" for ''Overwatch'' on November 7, 2014. They would repeat this to announce ''Overwatch 2'', releasing the ''Zero Hour'' cinematic trailer in 2019.
Blizzard also released animated short films to help flesh out "the real meat" of ''Overwatch''s lore. These shorts employed 3D computer-generated animation,[ and received praise from video game journalists, with some likening their quality to those of works from Disney and Pixar. that ''Recall'', the first of these shorts, was released on March 21, 2016.] It was centered around Reaper's attack on Winston at Gibraltar and Winston's following recall of former Overwatch agents.[ Blizzard released nine more shorts through 2018; ''Reunion'' was the last of these shorts until ''The Wastelander'' was released in 2022.]
Aside from short films, Blizzard also released "origin story" videos for Soldier: 76 and each character added to ''Overwatch''s playable roster post-launch. An origin story for King's Row Uprising, a tie-in for an in-game event was also released. These origin story videos are designed to provide players with the background of new characters. Origin stories are animated in the style of motion comics
A motion comic (or animated comic) is a form of animation combining elements of print comic books and animation. Individual panels are expanded into a full shot while sound effects, voice acting, and animation are added to the original artwork. Tex ...
and are shorter than Blizzard's 3D-animated short films.
Comics
From 2016 to 2018, Blizzard published ''Overwatch'', a 16-issue comic series, beginning with "Trainhopper". Some issues, such as "Uprising", served as tie-ins to in-game events. Motion comic versions of the series were also released, produced by Madefire Studios. These motion comics included sound effects and official music featured in-game.[ Originally a digital comic series, Blizzard partnered with ]Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is an American comic book, graphic novel, and manga publisher founded in Milwaukie, Oregon by Mike Richardson in 1986. The company was created using funds earned from Richardson's chain of Portland, Oregon comic book shops known ...
to publish a hardcover anthology in 2017, which collected the series' 12 issues released to that point. An expanded edition of the anthology was released in December 2021.
From 2020 to 2021, Blizzard and Dark Horse published ''Tracer - London Calling'' a five-issue limited series Limited series may refer to:
*Limited series, individual storylines within an anthology series
*Limited series, a particular run of collectables, usually individually numbered
*Limited series (comics), a comics series with a predetermined number of ...
. Written by Mariko Tamaki
Mariko Tamaki (born 1975) is a Canadian artist and writer. She is known for her graphic novels '' Skim'', ''Emiko Superstar,'' and ''This One Summer'', and for several prose works of fiction and non-fiction."Mariko Tamaki". CBC Radio, '' The Next ...
and illustrated by Babs Tarr
Barbara Tarr (also known as Babs Tarr) is an American freelance comic book artist who has worked for DC Comics and Image Comics. She is best known for her work on ''Batgirl'' and for her Japanese-style illustrations.
Early life
Babs Tarr grew ...
, print versions of each issue were also released.[ Rachael Cohen and Deron Bennett served as the series' colorist and letterer, respectively.] A graphic novel collecting the five issues and featuring cover art by artist Bengal was physically released on September 28, 2021.[
Another five-issue limited series, ''New Blood'' was released from November 2021 to March 2022.] Similar in style to ''London Calling'', the series followed Cassidy post-''Zero Hour'' on his journey to recruit members to the newly revived Overwatch. Both ''London Calling'' and ''New Blood'' also served as tie-ins for in-game seasonal events
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and pola ...
.
Other literary media
A graphic novel
A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...
titled ''Overwatch: First Strike'' was teased by Blizzard in 2016, but it was ultimately scrapped. Posting on ''Overwatch''s official forums, Chu stated that Blizzard decided to cancel ''First Strike'' due to considerable changes made to the narrative and characters of ''Overwatch'' since ''First Strike'' was first conceived. The novel was to be penned by writer Micky Neilson and artist Ludo Lullabi.
Shortly before the publishing of the first volume of their ''Overwatch'' comic series anthology, Dark Horse released ''The Art of Overwatch'' on October 24, 2017.[ The 100-page book showcased concept art and illustrations from ''Overwatch''s development team, accompanied by their commentary.]
In 2019, Blizzard released ''Bastet'', ''What You Left Behind'', and ''Valkyrie'', three short stories which centered on Soldier: 76, Baptiste, and Mercy, respectively. Further short stories featuring Symmetra and Reaper have also been released. Also in 2019, Blizzard released an official ''Overwatch'' cookbook.
On June 2, 2020, ''The Hero of Numbani'', a young-adult novel
Young adult fiction (YA) is a category of fiction written for readers from 12 to 18 years of age. While the genre is primarily targeted at adolescents, approximately half of YA readers are adults.
The subject matter and genres of YA correlate ...
by Nicky Drayden was published. The story, functioning as a loose novelization of Orisa
Orishas (singular: orisha) are spirits that play a key role in the Yoruba religion of West Africa and several religions of the African diaspora that derive from it, such as Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican Santería and Brazilian Candomblé. Th ...
's origin story, follows Efi Ofadele, an 11-year old inventor. Ofadele creates Orisa in order to help protect the fictional country of Numbani.[ A second ''Overwatch'' young-adult novel, this time authored by Lyndsay Ely, was released on June 1, 2021.] The novel, titled ''Deadlock Rebels'', centered on Cassidy and Ashe during their teenage years.[
]
Merchandise
The popularity of ''Overwatch'' led various companies to launch merchandise lines featuring its characters. Funko
Funko Inc. is an American company that manufactures licensed and limited pop culture collectibles, best known for its licensed vinyl figurines and bobbleheads. In addition, the company produces licensed plush, action figures, apparel, accessories ...
produced several figurines as part of their "Pop!" line. Tracer is featured prominently in Good Smile Company
is a Japanese manufacturer of hobby products such as the Nendoroid and figma product lines, as well as scale figures. In addition to production and manufacturing, its business includes design, marketing and distribution. Its products are usuall ...
's merchandise, with the company distributing both Nendoroid
The series is a brand of plastic figures created by the Japanese Good Smile Company in 2006. They typically depict characters from anime, manga or video games and are designed with a large head and smaller body to give them a cute appearance. Th ...
and Figma figurines of the character. Good Smile has also featured other ''Overwatch'' characters in their lines. LEGO
Lego ( , ; stylized as LEGO) is a line of plastic construction toys that are manufactured by The Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of variously colored interlocking ...
has also produced an ''Overwatch'' set of figurines. As part of their Rivals line, Nerf
Nerf is a toy brand formed by Parker Brothers and currently owned by Hasbro. Most of the toys are a variety of foam-based weaponry, with other Nerf products including balls for sports such as American football, basketball, and baseball. The ...
has designed ''Overwatch''-stylized toy guns. Nerf's parent company, Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (; a syllabic abbreviation of its original name, Hassenfeld Brothers) is an American multinational conglomerate holding company incorporated and headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Hasbro owns the trademarks and products of ...
, later launched a set of action figures featuring ''Overwatch'' characters.
Reception
The original ''Overwatch'' achieved widespread acclaim from both critics and players both prior to and upon release. Pre-release, media outlets "rushed to cover the ame'sbeta", which attracted over 9.7 million players.
The game's PC, PS4, and Xbox One versions all received "universal acclaim", according to review aggregator
A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services (such as films, books, video games, software, hardware, and cars). This system stores the reviews and uses them for purposes such as supporting a website where users ...
Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
; these versions all hold a "metascore" of 90/100 or higher on the aggregator.[ ''Overwatch''s ]Nintendo Switch
The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a Tablet computer#Gaming tablet, tablet that can either be docking station, docked for use as a home video ...
version, however, received "mixed or average reviews" with a 73/100 metascore on the aggregator.[ Since its release, ''Overwatch'' has been listed by various outlets as one of the best video games of all-time, particularly within its hero shooter genre and among 21st-century contemporaries. Voted on by readers, ''Overwatch'' also ranked 29th on a 2018 '']Game Informer
''Game Informer'' (''GI'', most often stylized ''gameinformer'' from the 2010s onward) is an American monthly video game magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of video games and associated consoles. It debuted in August 1991 w ...
'' poll regarding the best video games-all. Critics praised ''Overwatch'' for its friendly and inclusive multiplayer atmosphere, able to appeal to new and casual players, as well as more competitive and expert players. The game's colorful and vibrant world and characters, in addition to the playful and team-based nature of its gameplay were cited as driving forces behind the inclusivity and positivity of its player base.[ While this broad accessibility was a common account by reviewers upon release, outlets later noted that players grew more toxic, particularly on the game's competitive mode.] Kaplan concurred with this assessment and led the developers' efforts to curb this toxicity.
The game also experienced considerable commercial success, becoming the 7th-best selling video game of all-time. Although never officially disclosing an exact number of sold copies, Blizzard counted a lifetime total of over 60 million players in 2021. In 2022, Bloomberg Bloomberg may refer to:
People
* Daniel J. Bloomberg (1905–1984), audio engineer
* Georgina Bloomberg (born 1983), professional equestrian
* Michael Bloomberg (born 1942), American businessman and founder of Bloomberg L.P.; politician and ma ...
published a report stating that the game eventually sold over 50 million copies. Fans of the franchise produced a large amount of content including art, cosplay, fan fiction, anime-influenced music videos, Internet memes, and pornography
Pornography (often shortened to porn or porno) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. Primarily intended for adults, featuring ''Overwatch'' characters and elements.
Prior to ''Overwatch 2''s release, fans raised concerns over the sequel's transition toward a 5v5 dynamic. Also predating its release, the sequel attracted both critic and player concerns about whether it would feel like a true sequel with considerable differences from its predecessor.[ Visuals from the sequel's technical beta were criticized for being too similar to the original game's.] A perceived lack of attention toward support players was also noted during the game's beta. In response, Blizzard made efforts to make the support role more enticing to play.[ Shortly following the sequel's beta period and just weeks prior the game launching into its ]early access
Early access, also known as alpha access, alpha founding, paid alpha, or game preview, is a funding model in the video game industry by which consumers can purchase and play a game in the various pre-release development cycles, such as pre-alph ...
, Kiriko was introduced to the game's playable roster as the first support hero announced in over three years.
''Overwatch 2'' was met with positive reception from critics, albeit less so than its predecessor; the game's PC version holds an 79/100 metascore on review aggregator Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
. All versions indicate "generally favorable reviews.[ Some reviewers reaffirmed the game's questionable status as a true sequel, likening the game to more of a remix or update. Players had a more lukewarm reception to the sequel upon its launch, with criticism aimed at its ]battle pass
In the video game industry, a battle pass is a type of monetization approach that provides additional content for a game usually through a tiered system, rewarding the player with in-game items for playing the game and completing specific chal ...
feature and its formerly-required "SMS Protect" system. Changes made to online character bios following the launch of ''Overwatch 2'' received criticism from fans.
While the original game was positively received, elements of its related media garnered some criticism. Writing for ''Polygon
In geometry, a polygon () is a plane figure that is described by a finite number of straight line segments connected to form a closed ''polygonal chain'' (or ''polygonal circuit''). The bounded plane region, the bounding circuit, or the two toge ...
'' in 2022, Cass Marshall wrote that "''Overwatch''s lore has been in stasis for so long, and its fandom has been so willing to make a meal out of the crumbs sprinkled out over the years, that I feel like the fans' version of the cast is more concrete than the actual canon."[ Natalie Clayton, writing for '']PC Gamer
''PC Gamer'' is a magazine and website founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future plc. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games ma ...
'' similarly opined that "''Overwatch'' has only felt more stagnant as the years go on," as a result of the series' narrative being "almost uniformly backstories, developments happening safely in the past." Clayton added that "relationships never developed or changed. Characters never grew, and the state of the world-at-large was left a static unknown."[ Marshall cited this lack of significant progression in ''Overwatch'' lore, as well as Blizzard's inconsistent updates to it, particularly from 2018 to 2022, as a factor behind the game's declined in popularity.][ '']Valorant
''Valorant'' is a free-to-play first-person tactical hero shooter developed and published by Riot Games, for Windows. Teased under the codename ''Project A'' in October 2019, the game began a closed beta period with limited access on April 7 ...
'', ''Rainbow Six Siege
''Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege'' is an online tactical shooter video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on December 1, 2015; the game w ...
'', and ''Apex Legends
''Apex Legends'' is a free-to-play Battle royale game, battle royale-hero shooter game developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. It was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in February 2019, for Nintendo ...
'' were all cited as gaining favor among existing ''Overwatch'' players. Developments in ''Overwatch'' media also affected in-game player patterns; after Soldier: 76 was canonically revealed to be gay in a comic, his pick rate among players dropped dramatically.
Notes
References
;Sources
*
External links
Overwatch – Comics & Short Stories
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