Overwatch
News, coverage and analysis tracking Overwatch across the outlets.
Jeff Kaplan Discusses His Departure from Blizzard - GameHauntJeff Kaplan detailed his departure from Blizzard Entertainment in April 2021, citing pressure from a senior finance executive to meet revenue targets or face 1,000 layoffs. He described a significant cultural shift at Blizzard from a creative environment to a profit-driven one, culminating in a "f&ck you moment" with the CFO. Kaplan has since founded Kintsugiyama and is working on The Legend of California.
Jeff Kaplan Reveals Shocking CFO Ultimatum That Ended His Blizzard CareerFormer Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan revealed that a CFO's ultimatum regarding revenue targets for Overwatch was the primary reason for his departure from Blizzard Entertainment in 2021. This ultimatum, which threatened 1,000 layoffs if targets weren't met, is seen by the community as a catalyst for Overwatch 2's monetization issues and a symptom of broader industry toxicity.
Overwatch 2 Players Return for Mauga, Hawaiian Shirt DreamsOverwatch 2 is experiencing a resurgence in player count, largely driven by the popularity of the tank hero Mauga. Players returning after leaving during early seasons are praising Mauga's character design, gameplay, and personality, with many expressing a desire for his Hawaiian shirt cosmetic. This renewed engagement is attributed to improved game balance and exciting new content from Blizzard Entertainment.- WRUP: Prisoner of the heck fart brigade editionThis weekly roundup features Massively OP staff and community members discussing their gaming plans. Participants are playing a variety of titles including Project Gorgon, Skate, Monster Hunter Wilds, Final Fantasy XIV, Warframe, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft. A bonus question asks about words that look strange when written out.
Marvel Rivals is part of the reason Overwatch dropped 5 new heroes at onceOverwatch game director Aaron Keller stated that Marvel Rivals has influenced the Overwatch team's decision to release multiple heroes simultaneously. Keller noted the excitement around Marvel Rivals launching with a large roster and considered a similar approach for Overwatch.
Overwatch Player’s Insane Prediction Shot Goes Viral on RedditA 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 heroesBlizzard 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 | TAGMicrosoft 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 3Several 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 DebatePlayers 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 buttcheeksPlayers 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 OnJeff 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 GameOverwatch 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 EntertainmentOverwatch 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 EntertainmentOverwatch 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 CreaturesKintsugiyama, 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.