still holding out hope for console version…
Blizzard has announced that the beta test for its upcoming competitive shooter Overwatch will launch later this month on October 27. It will run for an undetermined amount of time and feature 18 Heroes and seven maps.
“I think the Overwatch beta is what I would call a little more of an old school traditional beta,” Game Director Jeff Kaplan told IGN. “The goal is not to get as many people in as possible. It’s not a promotional event.”
Although Overwatch isn’t an open beta, Blizzard is aiming for “a couple of big stress test weekends. Those that don’t get in will hopefully be able to participate during those times.”
During this, Blizzard aims to test its Heroes and environments, and update the game accordingly as all beta testing developers do, but Kaplan noted that “anyone who’s followed our betas knows we’re willing to add big systems…. We will do drastic changes for a game if we feel like the game is not going the direction we want it to go.”
The beta will include voice chat, private lobbies and a spectator mode as well. “We have a lot more planned for eSports,” Kaplan said. “We’re building out our eSport plan right now. Right now what we want to communicate to everyone is that it’s super important to us. We think the game is going to lend itself well to eSports, both to play, and to watch.”
The Overwatch beta will begin in the United States on PC only before expanding to other regions. You can register for the beta on the Play Overwatch website.