Overwatch

2016 multiplayer first-person shooter video game

Original description from the source, not translated.

YEAR 2016

GENRE Shooter

PLATFORM Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

ABOUT THE GAME

Overwatch (retroactively referred to as Overwatch Classic) was a 2016 live service multiplayer first-person shooter video game by Blizzard Entertainment. The game was first released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in May 2016 and Nintendo Switch in October 2019, with cross-platform play supported across all platforms. Described as a "hero shooter", Overwatch assigned players into two teams of six, with each player selecting from a large roster of characters, known as "heroes", with unique abilities. Teams worked to complete map-specific objectives within a limited period of time. Blizzard added new characters, maps, and game modes post-release, all free of charge, with the only additional cost to players being optional loot boxes to purchase cosmetic items. Overwatch was Blizzard's fourth major franchise and came about following the 2014 cancellation of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Titan. A portion of the Titan team were inspired by the success of team-based first-person shooters like Team Fortress 2 and the popularity of multiplayer online battle arena games, and would go on to create a hero-based shooter which emphasized teamwork. Some elements of Overwatch borrowed concepts from the canceled Titan project. Overwatch was unveiled at the 2014 BlizzCon event and was in a closed beta from late 2015 to early 2016. An open beta before release drew in nearly 10 million players. Overwatch received universal acclaim from critics, who praised the game for its accessibility, the diverse appeal of its hero characters, its cartoonish art style, and enjoyable gameplay. Blizzard reported over US$1 billion in revenue during the first year of its release and had more than 50 million players after three years. During its lifetime, Overwatch was considered to be among the greatest video games of all time, receiving numerous game of the year awards and other accolades.

Source: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0 — Overwatch (2016 video game) · retrieved October 19, 2026

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PROVENANCE

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