One day before the final stage of the inaugural season kicks off, Overwatch League players still do not know what patch they will be competing on.
Although WhoRU and Alarm can easily soak up the spotlight, it is Elk who leads the team in-game. Aside from the expected responsibilities of ultimate tracking and shot-calling, being an in-game leader for the Fusion University requires facilitating effective communication with and between two players who are not fluent in English.
Reportedly, Overwatch League players and coaching staff have been arguing internally for the adjustments to Brigitte’s Shield Bash to be included in Stage 4. Players were asked by Blizzard staff to give overall feedback on the hero, as well as weigh-in on her inclusion without nerfs, earlier this week in order to collectively appeal to the design team.
But if esports veteran Andrey "Reynad" Yanyuk has learned anything in his fifteen years in the industry, Fortnite esports is not built to last. No esport is, in fact, nor game or genre of game. The way he sees it, it is the nature of gaming and esports to resist longevity.
As the seasons of competitive Overwatch wear on and the Overwatch League's existence comes to dominate every conversation, it has become easy to accept as inevitable the fundamental design of Overwatch.
Game design and balance is not simple and no one should discredit the hard work that goes into it. But it would be a shame if Blizzard denied the quality, valuable feedback the pro community provides for free in favor of pushing obviously flawed, all too frequent patches on its passionate, but exhausted, fanbase.
Conversational in nature, unfiltered in delivery, this panel serves to illuminate the challenges and realities of working and playing in the gaming industry as a woman.
At present, teams have limited time to experiment and become comfortable with updated patches during breaks, and their focus during a stage is obviously on their imminent matches. If the game pros are playing is going to change drastically between stages, then it only makes sense for their adjustment period to be extended.
Pro Overwatch needs casual (or, as the case may be, competitive) Overwatch to thrive. The Overwatch League can employ the best Overwatch players in the world, but those players will not matter if they do not have the fans and support necessary to make their careers thrive.
The desire to give fans such unprecedented levels of transparency extends from a rapidly antiquating idea that esports fans are entitled to know the inner-workings of organizations and the personal lives of pro players.
For pro players in the Overwatch League looking to optimize their performance, the stereotypical sedentary gamer lifestyle and fast food rich diet simply will not cut it. Increasingly, League organizations are encouraging, facilitating, and, in some cases, mandating that their players maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
In Blizzard's well-meaning earnest to quell one unruly player, the League is setting a standard of conduct contingent upon a hypervigilance on their part that cannot possibly be maintained consistently and fairly.
Brigitte, daughter to Torbjorn and squire to Reinhardt, is Overwatch’s latest and 27th hero. She is in the support role and is largely perceived as a healer-tank hybrid. Her primary fire is a melee ability that damages enemies and heals nearby allies. Additionally, Brigitte holds a “personal defense” shield akin to Reinhardt’s Barrier Shield and Orisa’s Protective Barrier.
Even during breaks, the sound of the arena is cacophonous. Between commentary and game sounds, cheers and straight up blood-curdling screams, the Overwatch League is not for the faint of heart. It is beautiful, even in its overstimulation – the stadium is bathed in various team colors throughout the day and the art of the upcoming map periodically consumes the stage.
Dallas’ underperformance is the result of a myriad of factors, but there are three notable culprits...
Jake favors Junkrat more than anyone because he is the best at it, and if Dynasty could not handle Spitfire’s Junkrat, then they are in for a rude awakening tonight.
Fusion will be a wild card of the League, capable of taking maps from the very best and giving maps to the very worst. Their individual skill is remarkable, but their teamplay must improve with each and every game if they intend to join the best in the playoffs.
This is not to say that the status quo is to be accepted. There is an unacceptable discrepancy between male and female players and broadcast talent in the League – but it is not a discrepancy of Blizzard’s making.
