Tag: Overwatch

Overwatch Role Queue: My Thoughts

~ James ~ Leave a comment
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Following up from my post a couple of weeks ago, I thought I’d make another expressing my thoughts and opinions on the new changes in Overwatch, specifically the new Role Queue feature. It’s currently in beta, however, it seems to have changed the game fundamentally in many ways, and it’s not always for the better in my opinion.

I briefly touched upon a few of these points (or fears) in the previously mentioned post, talking about how it stops any interesting team compositions to be formed and may lead every match to play out similarly – causing the overall experience to be quite repetitive. In my opinion, it appears all of these points turned out to be true. There’s no tactical switching to throw off the enemy team, or any “crazy” composition that “sounds so crazy it might work” kind of deals any more. It also seems to have caused an increase in toxicity (in my experience) from teammates; with a role tag slapped on everyone it becomes very easy to point fingers at teammates who you may not feel are doing what you would do – and even If that were true, there’s no way to swap roles, so it just creates frustration.

A counter-argument that I can see being made is the fact that due to this limitation, it’s now easier for Blizzard to balance the game since there’s a lesser chance of a broken setup. While true, I do not believe and have never believed that Overwatch has been a balanced game, which is why I see the whole “Overwatch League” that I’ve mentioned in a previous article to be completely forced and ludicrous. There are too many glaring issues with the game at the foundation where it can never be a truly balanced and competitive game in my opinion. A very small numbers of games are, saying that. However, Overwatch, even less so. Especially with characters like Mei in the game, who seems to go untouched by Blizzard despite being suitable in almost any situation. Just my opinion.

To wrap up, as much as I hated the flaws of the old system of having random teammates refusing to switch roles, or work with the team, this Role Queue change makes the game even worse: Boring.

Overwatch: Diving or Thriving?

~ James ~ Leave a comment
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It’s less than a week until Season 17 ends in Overwatch, and the official start of Season 18 begins. Season 18 marks the beginning of two (literally) game-changing additions to the title. The addition of the new hero, Sigma, as well as a seemingly permanent change to Quick Play and Competitive games and how they will be played from here on out.

For those unaware, Blizzard announced that each 6-player team will now comprise of 2 of each role; 2 tanks, 2 healers, 2 damage-dealers. This has predictably split many players opinions as many people feel this may affect the longevity of the game arguing that every game may blend into a similar structure, making it repetitive as well giving no room for interesting team compositions.

On the flip side some people think this has done the opposite, and saved an otherwise dying game. It doesn’t take an incredible amount of observation to notice that Overwatch (particularly quick play) has an issue with people picking damage-dealers and nothing else – this update removes that issue entirely. Nobody likes to be the only healer, or tank in a game where everyone is playing a damage-dealer and from personal experience I can sympathize with this. Unless you bite the bullet and try to form a decent team composition you will lose over and over and over and over.

In terms of content, the game seems to be quite lacking in the past few years, with many events being recycled from previous years with minimal changes. For better or for worse, one thing is certain; both the addition of Sigma, and the composition changes are definitely going to shake the game up a bit. Only time will tell how it plays out – either way, Blizzcon is fast approaching and many people are expecting a substantial Overwatch announcement.