Close Menu
  • Gaming
    • Game Guides
    • Codes
    • Game News
    • Game Previews
    • Game Reviews
    • Game Features
    • Game Lists
    • Platforms
      • Nintendo
      • PC
      • PlayStation
      • Xbox
      • Mobile
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Movie Features
    • Movie Reviews
    • TV
    • Reality TV
    • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • Human Interest
  • Astrology
  • Videos
  • More
    • Anime
    • Lists
    • Podcasts
    • Reviews
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
  • About Us
  • Join Our Team
  • Meet the Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Advertising Policy
The Nerd Stash
  • Gaming
  • Celebrity
  • Human Interest
  • Videos
The Nerd Stash
Home»Gaming»Overwatch Developer Update Hints at Future Plans

Overwatch Developer Update Hints at Future Plans

In this month’s Overwatch developer update, Blizzard’s Jeff Kaplan reviewed the many updates and tweaks that have come after the game’s release. Kaplan also spoke about development plans…

Steven RamosBy Steven RamosDecember 24, 20163 Mins Read
Overwatch developer update
This article is over 8 years old and may contain outdated information.

In this month’s Overwatch developer update, Blizzard’s Jeff Kaplan reviewed the many updates and tweaks that have come after the game’s release. Kaplan also spoke about development plans for the release of future content. Inspired by player feedback, many of Overwatch‘s heroes and features were restructured after their initial release. Changes to the game’s competitive skill ratings over its first three seasons of play were among the first of these major updates.

This year also saw the release of new heroes Ana and Sombra. Kaplan noted that the team is hesitant to change Sombra’s abilities. Blizzard wants to give players time to properly overcome the new hero’s “mastery curve” before they consider any balance updates. Overwatch‘s first post-launch map, Eichenwalde, led the movement for new gameplay features. The game’s first co-operative brawl, Junkenstein’s Revenge, was set in an Eichenwalde inspired arena. Along with the addition of Sombra, Overwatch‘s arcade playlist also brought brand new game modes and even another map, Ecopoint Antarctica.

Discussing the future of Overwatch, Kaplan referred to the development of a new map. Named Oasis, this map has already entered the game’s Public Test Region and is set to release “very early in 2017”. More maps are also in development, along with a number of experimental game modes. One such idea is a spectator map for those watching competitive matches. Blizzard plans to use the Arcade playlist to test new modes and maps for release in Quickplay and Competitive. Given a tremendous amount of feedback, Kaplan assured fans that the more seasonal events, like December’s “Winter Wonderland”, are on the way. Of course, additional heroes are also in the works. Kaplan did not mention any definite details about potential character designs or abilities. 

Players can expect a steady supply of tweaks to gameplay in the next year. A customized communication wheel will allow players to set up to four emotes, sprays, and voice lines to their characters. This feature will make unlocks seem more personal and worthwhile for players who work hard to earn them. An incentive to draw players into team chat and away from party chat is also in development.

While Overwatch currently allows players to create matches with special rules, players can only join custom games through invitations. Blizzard plans to release a server browser that will display matchmaking for public custom games.

With a prominent impact in the eSports community and many game awards, Overwatch is still gaining new players long after its May 2016 release. This success ensures that fans can expect the next Overwatch developer update early in 2017.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxlhFslsbu0[/embedyt]

Related Topics
Blizzard Overwatch
Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Email
Steven Ramos
  • Website

A fanatic of all things human, Steven spends an alarming amount of time researching untrue facts. Did you know that the Trojan horse was nicknamed “Tro-jo”? Just like you, he loves video games, movies, “the telly”, and all sorts of wacky thingamajigs. Though writing about games is his current side hustle, Steven hopes to create an impacting journalism career by turning his thoughts into words, sounds, and images.

SUGGESTED READS

News

Georgia Singer Gavin Adcock Sparks Outrage Over Beyoncé Country Comments: ‘Just Pop and Hiphop for Hicks Who Hate Black People’

Destiny 2 Edge of Fate World Tier Changes
Game News

Bungie Responds to Community Criticism by Peeling Back Some Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate Secrets

Destiny 2 Weekly Reset Guide: Challenges, Rotations, & Rewards (June 28-May 2)
Game Guides

Destiny 2 Weekly Reset Guide: Challenges, Rotations, & Rewards (July 1 – July 7)

Destiny 2 Edge of Fate Expansion Launch Trailer
Game Features

Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate Just Gave Us a Remedy-like Launch Trailer

Death Stranding 2 On the Beach Mexico
Game Features

Strangely Enough, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Has the Most Faithful Representation of Mexico in Recent Memory

Xbox Game Pass July 2025 games
Game News

6 Games Including Mafia Leaving Xbox Game Pass In July

Trending
Texas Man records a package thief stealing boxes off the porch

Texas Man Comes up With ‘Epic’ Idea To Get Revenge on Porch Pirates: ‘This Is Genius’

Ric Flair poop in restaurant

Angry Tampa Server is Fed-Up With Ric Flair Pooping in Their Restaurants, ‘Dirtiest Player in the Game’

Florida bride has special moment with two fathers at wedding

Florida Bride’s Father Shocks Guests At Wedding When He Sees Her Stepdad In Crowd: ‘Cries In Daddy Issues’

Texas woman sees dead brother during vacation

Texas Woman Shares Shocking Story of Seeing Her Dead Brother During Family Vacation in Italy: ‘This Gave Me Chills’

The Nerd Stash
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
  • About Us
  • Join Our Team
  • Meet the Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Advertising Policy
© 2025 The Nerd Stash. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.