Overwatch
News, coverage and analysis tracking Overwatch across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Overwatch Player’s Insane Prediction Shot Goes Viral on Reddit
A player's impressive prediction shot in Overwatch has gone viral on Reddit, sparking discussion within the community about skill versus luck in competitive shooters. The clip highlights the importance of game sense and predicting enemy movement, particularly with projectile-based heroes in the game.
"What if we could just drop 30 new heroes into Overwatch?": Marvel Rivals "definitely had an impact" on Blizzard, says Overwatch boss, and a big factor was the response to new heroes
Blizzard Entertainment's game director Aaron Keller stated that Marvel Rivals had a significant impact on the Overwatch team, particularly regarding player response to new hero releases. The excitement for Marvel Rivals' large roster of characters prompted discussions within Blizzard about potentially introducing a similar volume of new heroes to Overwatch.
Overwatch director celebrates no longer being "the lowest-rated game on Steam," but admits he's "not sure what it would take for us to move up to a positive score at this point"
Overwatch game director Aaron Keller expressed satisfaction that the game is no longer the lowest-rated on Steam, though he is unsure what it would take to achieve a positive score. He compared running a live-service game to a relationship, emphasizing the team's efforts to involve players in development.
Project Helix dev kits not going out until 2027 | TAG
Microsoft has revealed that developer kits for its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, will not be released until 2027, featuring custom AMD chips with advanced ray tracing and upscaling capabilities. Separately, a surprise public playtest for Secret Door and Dreamhaven's Shadowstone has launched, Nintendo is preparing an update for Pokémon Pokopia, and Square Enix has surprise-launched Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Additionally, Jeff Kaplan explained his departure from Blizzard, and deals for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles and games are available.
What We Played – Marathon, Toxic Commando & Monster Hunter Stories 3
Several gaming outlets shared their recent playtime, with Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection being highlighted as a strong entry in the series. Other titles frequently mentioned include Marathon, Toxic Commando, and Pokopia, with various staff members sharing their experiences across multiple genres like RPGs, shooters, and horror.
Jeff Kaplan Calls Activision Exit His Biggest ‘F**k You Moment’
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan described his 2021 exit from Activision Blizzard as his biggest 'f**k you moment,' suggesting deep dissatisfaction with the company's direction and workplace conditions during a period of significant crisis. His departure and subsequent comments highlight ongoing issues within the gaming industry regarding creative control and developer treatment.
'It was supposed to be the greatest time ever': Jeff Kaplan only got 6 weeks to come up with and pitch Overwatch: 'We were probably the most demoralised we'd ever been'
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan revealed that the team had only six weeks to develop and pitch the game after the cancellation of the MMO Titan. Despite the immense pressure and demoralization, the team was tasked with creating a game that could ship in two years and achieve World of Warcraft-like revenue. Ultimately, Overwatch was chosen as the most realistic pitch, with elements inspired by old Titan concepts and even Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
$30 Overwatch Skin Missing Iconic Detail Sparks Quality Control Debate
Players are debating the quality control of Blizzard Entertainment's new Kiriko skin for Overwatch, which is a crossover with NieR: Automata's character 2B. The skin is missing 2B's signature facial mole, a detail considered iconic to the character's design. This oversight, coupled with the premium price of the cosmetic, has led to player frustration and questions about the developer's respect for source material.
Gamers think they know why Overwatch is “struggling” against Marvel Rivals, and it’s not gameplay, it’s buttcheeks
Players are criticizing Overwatch's new Project YoRHa collaboration skins for their high cost and perceived lack of aesthetic appeal, particularly the design of the character Kiriko. This has led to comparisons with Marvel Rivals, with some arguing Overwatch is struggling due to its character design choices. The discussion also touches on broader concerns about female character representation and the male gaze in video games.
Overwatch Vet's New Game, The Legend Of California, Won't "Starve The Player" Early On
Jeff Kaplan, former Blizzard veteran and director of Kintsugiyama studio, has shared new details about their upcoming game, The Legend of California. The first-person shooter multiplayer game aims to quickly immerse players in its core mechanics, such as shooting and exploration, without prolonged periods of simple tasks. The game will launch in early access, with developers emphasizing community involvement to refine the experience before its 1.0 release.
Overwatch Fans Are 3D Printing Their Way Into the Game
Overwatch fans are utilizing 3D printing technology to create physical replicas of in-game items, bridging the gap between the digital and real worlds. Creators are sharing 3D printing files online, fostering a collaborative community spirit and democratizing fan creation beyond traditional art forms.
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan on what led him to leave Blizzard Entertainment
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan stated that his departure from Blizzard Entertainment was due to the Overwatch League and corporate mismanagement. He believes these factors contributed to the game's decline.
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan on what led him to leave Blizzard Entertainment
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan stated that his departure from Blizzard Entertainment was due to the Overwatch League and corporate mismanagement. He believes these factors contributed to the game's decline.
New Survival Game The Legend of California Announced and is Being Headed Up by Former Overwatch Lead Director, Launching on PC via Early Access in 2026 | Console Creatures
Kintsugiyama, a studio led by former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan, has announced The Legend of California, a multiplayer-focused action survival first-person shooter. The game is set in an alternate timeline gold rush California and will launch on PC via Early Access in 2026 on Steam and Epic Games Store. The publisher is Dreamhaven, co-founded by former Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime.
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan's favorite hero is Reinhardt, and reveals his charge was inspired by Left 4 Dead 2: 'It's what separates a great Rein from a sh*tty one'
Former Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan revealed that Reinhardt was his main hero and that his shield ability was inspired by Left 4 Dead 2. Kaplan stated that Reinhardt's shield design was crucial for team-based gameplay and has since been widely adopted by other hero shooters.
Ex-Overwatch director reveals a multiplayer lovechild of Read Dead and Rust, which I hope boasts nude shootouts
The Legend of California is a multiplayer survival shooter from Kintsugiyama, led by former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan, that blends elements of Red Dead Online and Rust. Set in a gold rush-era California, players can engage in shootouts, build bases, or survive in the wilderness. The game is slated for early access release this year on PC via Steam, with the developer hoping to include optional nudity for a more Darwinian survival experience.
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan returns with a Western survival shooter
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan has returned with his new studio Kintsugiyama and an open-world action-survival shooter titled The Legend of California. The game, set during a fictionalized gold rush era, will feature PvE and optional PvP elements, cooperative play for up to four players, and will enter early access on Steam and the Epic Games Store later this year. Kaplan revealed the game during an appearance on the Lex Fridman podcast, also discussing his departure from Blizzard due to business pressures.
Morning Patches
Several games have received new patches and updates. Marvel Rivals released version 20260312, Overwatch's Season 1 midcycle continues, and Teardown has added multiplayer functionality.
Jeff Kaplan reveals new game, Legend of California, on the Lex Friedman Podcast
Jeff Kaplan, former lead of Overwatch, has revealed his new game, The Legend of California, developed by his studio Kintsugi Games with assistance from Blizzard co-founder Mike Morhaime. The open-world action game features a cowboy aesthetic set in 1800s Gold Rush-era California and will utilize voxel-based gameplay for mining. An alpha test is planned for March, with an Early Access release to follow.
Blizzard's canceled World of Warcraft follow-up was a "1 server, 1 world" MMO with GTA and Animal Crossing influences, ex dev says, but it was so big it "could never ship"
Former Blizzard developer Jeff Kaplan revealed details about the canceled MMORPG Titan, which was envisioned as a '1 server, 1 world' game with influences from Grand Theft Auto and Animal Crossing. Despite its ambitious scope, the project was deemed too large to ever ship and was eventually scrapped in 2014, with some assets being repurposed for Overwatch.
