Blizzard Announces First-Person Shooter 'Overwatch' During BlizzCon 2014
Blizzard recently announced during BlizzCon 2014 their first take on a first-person shooter multiplayer online game called "Overwatch." The game is a squad-based multiplayer game where players will be working together towards a common goal. The game has been likened to Valve's "Team Fortress 2" but with Blizzard's fantasy style.
Players will be creating characters from a wide range of parameters from different genders, classes, abilities, and nationalities. Blizzard's Chris Metzen had said during a press conference after the game's announcement that they wanted their fans to represent a more diverse group of characters than in their previous games.
"We've heard our female employees. And my daughter tools me about it. She saw a World of Warcraft cinematic of the Dragon Aspects, and my daughter was like, 'Why are they all in swimsuits?' And I was like, 'I don't know. I don't know anymore,'" he said.
"I think we're clear we're in an age where gaming is for everybody. We build games for everybody. We want everybody to come and play. Increasingly people want to feel represented from all walks of life, everywhere in the world. Boys and girls – everybody. We feel indebted to do our best to honor that," Metzen added.
The game will be taking place in a highly-stylised, fictional Earth where maps are located in technologically enhanced cities with familiar landmarks. Such maps, for example, take place in London or in an Egyptian bazaar with pyramids as backdrops.
Attendees at BlizzCon last weekend were able to test the game. A beta test will be opening for the game next year. For those who are interested, applications can be accomplished at www.playoverwatch.com.