Overwatch Archives

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Almost 200 Overwatch staff unionise

Nearly 200 developers from the Overwatch series have formed a union called The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild-CWA, announced by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union includes members from various departments such as design, production, engineering, art, sound, and quality assurance. The unionization effort was motivated by layoffs in the gaming industry and aims to improve workplace conditions. Members believe collective action will help address long-standing issues like layoffs, excessive crunch periods, and inadequate working conditions in the gaming sector.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Stadium’s roadmap for Overwatch 2 is planned out for the next three seasons, with more heroes, maps, and custom games on the horizon

Stadium is a new mode in Overwatch 2, developed with a dedicated roadmap for the next three seasons. Season 17 will introduce two new maps (Esperanca and Samoa), a crossplay feature, new custom games, saveable and shareable builds, and additional example builds. The maps will be tailored for Stadium's fast-paced gameplay, featuring smaller sizes and closer spawn points to objectives. Stadium has gained popularity within the Overwatch 2 community, becoming comparable to Quick Play and Competitive modes.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Microtransactions Made Up 58% of PC Video Game Revenue in 2024, Research Shows

Microtransactions account for 58% of total revenue for game companies, with a 1.4% increase in 2024, contributing .4 billion to overall PC gaming sales of .3 billion. Downloadable content (DLC) generated .8 billion in revenue last year, while microtransactions represent 32% of console revenue, amounting to .9 billion out of .8 billion in console sales. Subscription services have risen by 14.1%. PC gaming sales grew by 0.1%, but console gaming revenue declined by 3.9%. Major franchises like Fortnite, Roblox, and Call of Duty exemplify the popularity of microtransactions. The report also notes the trend of "recursive nostalgia," where established franchises reintroduce vintage content to engage players.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Blizzard vet Bill Petras has died

Bill Petras, a long-time staff member at Blizzard Entertainment, has passed away, leaving a significant impact on those who knew him. He worked at Blizzard for nearly two decades and contributed to iconic titles such as StarCraft, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch, where he served as art director. His friendship with fellow veteran Harley D. Huggins II lasted 28 years, marked by deep conversations about various topics including game development and art.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

The Best PC Games to Play Right Now (Spring 2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features advanced GPUs enabling ray tracing and AI-enhanced upscaling, with tools like Unreal Engine 5 facilitating diverse game development. Platforms such as Steam and Epic Games Store host tens of thousands of titles, with over 13,000 new games launched on Steam in 2024. Notable games include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Cyberpunk 2077, Valorant, Overwatch 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Warframe, and Apex Legends. Key trends include cross-platform compatibility, free-to-play models, and game subscription services. Optimal gaming setups typically require a mid-range processor, a GTX 1070 or better graphics card, and at least 16GB of RAM. Popular multiplayer games include Valorant and Apex Legends, while highly rated titles include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, and Disco Elysium. Classics worth playing today include The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Portal 2.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

Elon Musk’s estranged daughter weighs in on his pro gamer claims: ‘He was a Bronze Torbjörn main. He was f*ing dogsht’

Vivian Jenna Wilson, the estranged daughter of Elon Musk, discussed her father's gaming skills on Hasan Piker's Twitch channel, recalling that when she was 12, Musk was Bronze in Overwatch while she and her twin were not. She suggested he wanted them to play ranked with him to help him win. Musk has admitted to using paid account boosting in games like Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2, which has raised questions about his gaming credibility. Wilson has criticized Musk's political views, particularly his support for anti-trans extremism, and described him as "cold" and "narcissistic," alleging he pressured her to appear more masculine. Musk has referred to Wilson, who is transgender, as "dead" and continues to use her birth name, complicating their relationship.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Windows Game Bar gets design tweaks for better handheld gaming

Microsoft is enhancing the Game Bar to improve the gaming experience on handheld devices, introducing a refreshed interface that offers quicker access to tools and real-time statistical insights. The update aims to optimize gameplay across various platforms, particularly in Compact Mode, which resembles Steam's Big Picture mode. Additionally, Microsoft has expanded its Game Pass service, allowing subscribers to stream games they own, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and is offering exclusive bonuses in popular free-to-play games to attract more users to the subscription model.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Xbox’s new gaming AI aims to “help you get good” at everything from Overwatch 2 to Minecraft by watching you play and giving you advice

Microsoft is introducing its Copilot generative AI chatbot to Xbox, initially available in beta for Xbox Insiders on mobile devices, with plans for console and PC integration. The AI assistant will provide players with tips, reminders of previous gaming sessions, and personalized game recommendations. Fatima Kardar, corporate VP of gaming AI, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the gaming experience and encourages user feedback during the rollout. Demonstrations show Copilot assisting players with game reinstallation, providing strategies, suggesting character alternatives, and guiding newcomers in games like Minecraft. Players can opt out of using the AI if desired. Microsoft plans to collaborate with game studios to ensure the accuracy of the information provided by Copilot. Phil Spencer envisions leveraging generative AI to enhance gameplay and preserve games tied to unique hardware.

AppWizard

March 12, 2025

Industry vet Verdu departs Netflix

Mike Verdu has officially left Netflix, where he had been leading its gaming division since 2021 before overseeing generative artificial intelligence initiatives. He was replaced by Alain Tascan from Epic Games. Following Verdu's departure, Netflix has been adjusting its gaming strategy, including shutting down its Team Blue studio and experiencing talent departures, such as Joseph Staten and Chacko Sonny. Additionally, layoffs occurred at Night School Studio, indicating ongoing restructuring within Netflix's gaming operations.

AppWizard

March 10, 2025

Overwatch 2 is launching another Le Sserafirm collab with ‘more transformative’ skin designs, guided by Blizzard Korea’s keen eye for Korean trends and street style

In 2023, Overwatch collaborated with K-Pop group Le Sserafim, launching a debut song, five unique hero skins, and a new game mode. A new Le Sserafim event is set to debut next week. The Overwatch team, led by Aimee Dennett, is open to future collaborations, emphasizing innovation and creativity. The introduction of mythic skins, such as Reaper's Anubis and Widowmaker's Spellbinder, has enhanced the game's visual appeal and allowed for new creative exploration. Rogers from the design team highlighted a shift towards a more transformative approach in skin design, breaking away from previous limitations. Overwatch is known for its exceptional skins, with iconic examples like Ana's Wasteland skin, Genji's Oni skin, and D.Va's Shin-Ryeong skin, and continues to explore diverse styles for innovative designs.