The Overwatch improvement group has been extraordinarily open about what’s occurring with the sport going ahead and what Overwatch updates will occur sooner or later. As a companion to preserving you up to date on what’s occurring within the recreation proper now, we’ve gathered every part Blizzard have stated about what occurs subsequent.
While we’re at it, right here’s all the information we have now on new Overwatch heroes.
We’ve cut up this into sections based mostly on tough estimates of when totally different options are deliberate for. In instances the place we don’t know, we’ve estimated based mostly on perceived workload, however make it very clear that it’s our estimation, not Blizzard’s. On that notice, no less than for the forseeable future, it seems to be like we are able to count on one main patch on the finish of every month, although various relying on massive elements like BlizzCon and holidays.
It’s price noting that none of that is assured. Game director Jeff Kaplan and the Overwatch group have been extra open than most improvement groups about what they’re engaged on, particularly underneath the caveat that plans do change, delays can occur, higher concepts pop up and life will get in the best way. There’s a number of issues Blizzard want to do right here, notably deliberate for additional down the road – that doesn’t imply they’ll get round to it, or will probably be in a predictable type when it launches. That stated, since launch they’ve applied most of the options they’ve promised.
Overwatch – what’s coming quickly in 2017
New legendary skins
McCree has one on the best way this year. Widowmaker is getting one “soon.”
More customized recreation choices
With the introduction of the Overwatch server browser, folks need extra. Saving settings is now on the PTR. They’re also working so as to add extra alternate fireplace talents plus disabling major weapons or melee assaults. Passwords are additionally on the hope list, together with team switching. They do not need to, however Blizzard may have to show off exp-gain in custom games.
Events coming again
Events – and their numerous gadgets and brawls – are likely to return each year. You can virtually actually count on issues like Lucioball and Junkenstein’s Revenge to return within the Arcade too.
Overwatch improvement documentary
This was teased by Kaplan throughout his AMA. No time-frame given, but when it is already made, it may possibly’t be too far out – particularly with the one-year anniversary arising.
Less attracts in CTF / Elimination
Kaplan talked about these changes have been additional out than the now-live adjustments to 2CP Assault maps. Hopefully meaning in a few patches time.
Play of the Game enhancements
Kaplan particularly talked about making Plays of the Game “more cinematic” in his interview with Eurogamer, and that he hoped they’d get to it throughout summer season. Doing this could enable the system to change into extra sturdy, as extra issues will look cool. With the introduction of Ana, this has change into a really generally requested function on account of her final. Kaplan additionally spoke about this on the forums in September 2016.
The a lot requested function of with the ability to save and share your Play of the Game and highlights will likely be in by the end of summer.
Matchmaking enhancements
In a large submit, Kaplan laid out the whole current matchmaking system, in addition to saying they’re consistently enhancing it. This most definitely gained’t even be referred to as out in notes each time it occurs, simply know that issues are being tweaked to present higher matches just about on a regular basis. Season three of aggressive play additionally refactored skill ratings once again. Scott Mercer additionally expanded massively on the issues in matchmaking and the options being checked out.
Handling leavers can be “excessive on the checklist” of issues to enhance according to Scott. Also of notice is his giant submit about matchmaking and competitive play on the whole, by which he mentions a number of enhancements already made to the system.
Social enhancements
Similar to matchmaking, social enhancements are being developed and applied consistently, although usually will likely be referred to as out in patch notes. This was lined in Kaplan’s big future post. Elsewhere he additionally talked about hiding the chat box and the potential of having an appear offline option. He’s additionally spoken about enhancing the reporting and banning system, in addition to just removing poor sports from aggressive play.
Harsher punishment for deliberately shedding video games
The follow of making a ‘smurf’ account by intentionally shedding video games after which going from low ranks to excessive ranks at velocity is far hated by lower-level gamers (whose video games are ruined by throws or much better gamers on their solution to the highest). Kaplan agrees, and says they want to kill this off.
Gifting lootboxes
Kaplan stated in his AMA that Blizzard have been “working on it.”
Bug fixing, anti-hack and anti-cheat
Not a number of information on these past that it’s occurring, however once more, they’re fixed efforts. Naturally, Blizzard cannot actually go into element on the specifics of anti-cheat measures. They did submit in early February about ongoing action, nevertheless.
New heroes
Kaplan’s stated that new heroes won’t be released in batches, however that a number of are “very far along” within the manufacturing course of. Ana, Sombra and Orisa at the moment are out – for who’s coming subsequent test our devoted new Overwatch heroes submit. Community bets are nonetheless on Doomfist. Old ideas are by no means dumpstered, according to Kaplan, so if you happen to get pleasure from designs you have seen in idea artwork they could nonetheless make it. He additionally talked about that constant hero releases aren’t required or one thing he thinks could be a good suggestion.
New maps
Christmas introduced extra of the re-skinned maps so count on these to proceed. There’s additionally this post giving hints as to additional map improvement plans.
New cosmetics
So far we have acquired main occasion improve packs and the odd added beauty between them. Expect that to proceed, however Kaplan additionally pointed out that every new hero was going to be developed over time, relatively than at all times include a full number of what’s been launched earlier than.
The Overwatch group have also tweeted that sooner or later, all heroes will get new skins for particular occasions, so your favourites will not be randomly disregarded.
More animated shorts
Obviously, Blizzard need to make more of their extremely profitable animated shorts. Timing is extra of the query. We noticed the Bastion animated short at Gamescom and Sombra at BlizzCon – Zarya appears seemingly for the subsequent, however there isn’t any clue after we’ll see it. The furor round a Greek voice actor
Similarly, “new story content material” is on the best way according to Michael Chu.
Longer-term Overwatch updates
Map Editor
There will, at some point, in all probability, be an Overwatch map editor, but it surely’s a great distance off. The instruments just aren’t ready for public use but, says Kaplan, together with a great deal of different points.
Sound toggle hotkeys
Kaplan confirmed this feature but it surely was by no means applied – whether or not they’ve forgotten or it was tougher to implement than initially thought, we’ll presumably discover out finally.
Genji and D.Va ult-block voice-lines
No ETA on it but, however this was confirmed as happening, however requires extra voice performing work (clearly).
Symmetra Shield Generator voice-lines
Also on the best way are strains for reacting to and destroying defend mills positioned by enemy Symmetras. It’ll take a while though as all of the voice actors want to return again into the workplace.
More aggressive level rewards
Specifically, Kaplan said they’d like so as to add extra issues to purchase with aggressive play factors past the golden weapons. He additionally stated they do not need to enable the shopping for of regular skins by aggressive factors, preserving that and the gold/loot field economic system seperate. More just lately he said again they need to add stuff, however are fearful about over-rewarding. He additionally gave a timeframe of past Season four. In his AMA, he talked about once more about over-rewarding competitive play and attracting gamers who do not need to be there.
In-game event mode
Another on the lengthy, lengthy developer wishlist, however one thing you might count on within the far future.
Competitive 3v3 / 1v1
This is one thing each the group and Blizzard want to see implemented, however wasn’t a direct function on account of wanting to ensure the system labored first. It clearly did, and is sort of widespread, so we’ll hopefully see it at some point. Upcoming enhancements to the mode have been additionally confirmed in early 2017.
Replay system
Kaplan stated on the forums that this can be a decrease precedence than highlights enhancements, and is subsequently “not on the immediate horizon” however they do have a system working internally. He later identified that the identical group is engaged on high-bandwidth servers, which has taken precedence because it really improves the extent of play in-game. Replays nonetheless weren’t on the horizon on the end of 2016 and once more in March 2017.
Spectator/Broadcast system
Kaplan has stated that regardless of enhancements already made, extra may very well be finished with the spectator UI. No fast timeframe on that, although Kaplan did submit once more saying that they need to make it doable to spectate friends’ competitive games.
Last we heard about each this and the replay system, Kaplan was saying they have been dealt with by the identical group because the Season 2 aggressive enhancements, matchmaking enhancements, excessive bandwidth servers and spotlight saving, therefore the delay.
Spectator mini-map
As a part of this, Kaplan stated that a mini-map would finally be in place for spectators to extra simply perceive how a recreation was growing, however specifically said they would not be including one for regular in-game conditions. This was reiterated more recently.
Permanent development in PTR
As a part of an effort to get extra gamers testing on PTR, Blizzard and the group each desire a system whereby development and loot containers may very well be moved to the principle consumer after being earned on PTR. Blizzard are discovering arising with an answer quite difficult however proceed to work on it.
More just lately, Kaplan stated this was still being worked on however is a “important improvement duties that might straight take away from improvement time on the core recreation.”
Updated emotes for newer characters
Characters like Sombra haven’t got a sitting emote, as they maintain out after that spherical of updates was finished. Kaplan explained why it takes “months” to get these out, with a lot else to prioritise.
Mercy and Lucio in 1v1, extra 1v1 modes
There’s a “long term plan” to get these guys into 1v1 video games with out it being horrible. This was reconfirmed more recently. There’s additionally a plan for extra 1v1 modes in the works.
Pause
Kaplan stated they’d “look into” including a pause mechanic, particularly for eSports-tier video games in case of issues. This is considered one of a number of enhancements they need to make over time.
Progression system enhancements
Specifically described as “more long term” in, once more, Kaplan’s big future post, additional enhancements to development and cosmetics are deliberate. This contains the potential of a random pose/spotlight intro perform. Here’s Kaplan additionally saying they’d like a random cosmetic option.
Cosmetic choice in-game
Kaplan has posted that Blizzard need it to be doable to vary skins within the game-beginning section, however not at will whereas mid-match.
Character backstories in-game
Lead story-man Michael Chu has stated that Blizzard want to make backstories and biographies, in addition to different lore-entries, readable in-game. It’s in all probability not the very best precedence, and would require some new UI parts, therefore its place on this part. Chu confirmed in mid-March it was nonetheless underneath improvement, and small variations have been added in patch 1.10.
Hero language choices
This one is probably going a great distance off, however David Clyde, a programmer, confirmed on the boards that Blizzard want to do XCOM 2-style nationality-based language choose for hero voice strains, for an additional contact of realism. It is not supported by the code at present, however he needs to “make it work in the future.”
Three-round burst gun
Kaplan stated that he’d love to put a burst-fire gun within the recreation at some stage, just like the M16 from Modern Warfare 2.
Forum enhancements
Kaplan talked about on the forums that the group is not an enormous fan of the best way the boards work at present, particularly the best way voting is introduced and the flexibility to ‘bump’ your personal thread. Obviously, when this will get mounted is extra all the way down to the Blizzard web-team than the OW builders.
In January, he talked about the adjustments have been nonetheless “months away.” Same once more in February.
Competitive queue affirmation
While not undoubtedly on the best way, Kaplan posted in a thread about this in January, noting a couple of possible solutions.
Arcade stats and achievements
Blizzard want to do this, particularly for no limits.There’s additionally plans so as to add stat-tracking features to non-standard game modes.
Kaplan posted additional about this in January, saying that stat tracking is in lively dialogue. He additionally talked about that whereas they need to do achievements, will probably be a manner off.
Reporting on console
Kaplan gave a selected timeline of summer or sooner for the flexibility to report gamers on consoles.
Clan/Guild system
This might be a protracted, great distance out however Kaplan’s enthusiasm seemingly means it might occur at some point.
Mystery hero fixes
There’s some “clean up” coming to this practice recreation mode sooner or later and Blizzard are occupied with altering the best way final cost operates inside it.
Color Blind enhancements
Kaplan’s AMA revealed they need to do extra with colour blind choices, however that it is troublesome to prioritize.
Stats transperancy
While full transperancy is unlikely based on Kaplan’s AMA, they’re on the lookout for ways to improve their inside monitoring so some issues may very well be made public.
Features not coming to Overwatch
This part is for issues that the group have explicitly stated they don’t need to do, can’t do or isn’t definitely worth the time funding.
Surrender possibility
Some gamers have been asking for a give up possibility so shedding groups can throw within the towel if they need. However, recreation director Jeff Kaplan says this is not more likely to occur. “We don’t at present agree that the sport wants a give up possibility, particularly with our fast match lengths,” he said.
Daily quests
For both foreign money or loot containers, Kaplan says the group “aren’t super keen” on doing these, no less than so far as they’re applied in Heroes of the Storm and Hearthstone. They don’t need gamers creating poor group comps as a result of they need to end, for instance, their offensive class every day when their group desperately wants a tank or assist.
Fall harm
They tried this and it didn’t work throughout the board, then felt bizarre on particular characters.
Increased FOV or ‘correct’ 21:9 assist
Kaplan made it clear in this post that they’re going to by no means enhance the FOV above 103, even for decision causes. This makes correct 21:9 assist inconceivable.
Multi-hero in aggressive
Kaplan confirmed that the 1-hero restrict would stay in aggressive, as suggestions and outcomes had been good.
Deathmatch mode in common video games
In response to a query in regards to the addition of a kills-based mode, Kaplan confirmed that it is not one thing they need to put within the recreation as a part of common play. They might see it as a Brawl or different side-event, nevertheless.
Scoreboard icons replicate pores and skin use
This is not being applied to ensure the scoreboard is quick and easy to read so far as members of every group are involved.
Retiring heroes
After some confusion on the subject, Kaplan made it clear that they’re “not even remotely occupied with retiring heroes proper now or anytime within the foreseeable future.”
Vertical Tracer blink
Kaplan stated they experimented with this but it surely created imbalance and completely modified how Tracer performed.
Leaver compensation
A discussion board person introduced up the concept of elevated well being, altered spawn occasions or ult cost adjustments for groups which have had leavers in aggressive play. Kaplan said they’d thought of it, however did not need to change core gameplay values, and in addition identified issues with catch-up mechanics on the whole.
Death medal
Kaplan revealed Overwatch used to have a fewest deaths medal but it surely created some poisonous gameplay patterns to attempt to get golds – like not leaving the spawn room.
Emote invulnerability and cancelling
Both of those have implications for utilizing emotes throughout fight, as explained by Kaplan on the forums.
Arcade rewards based mostly on video games performed relatively than gained
Kaplan stated this could create deviant behaviours.
Easter or Valentines occasion in 2017
Kaplan introduced this wasn’t happening though some Valentines voice lines have been datamined, suggesting a smaller-scale occasion.
Buffing Sombra’s EMP / Hack
Geoff Goodman wrote a fairly long post within the boards about how buffing Sombra’s Hack or EMP seemingly would not be occurring, because it’s already such a powerful a part of her package.
Bloom discount
In his Reddit AMA, Kaplan stated that a bloom discount graphical setting was unlikely as it’s a part of the artstyle.
That’s the longer term laid out for you! Did we miss something? Let us know within the feedback under.
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