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Six years after its glitzy launch, Blizzard’s grand experiment seems to be over. Blizzard has confirmed in a press release to IGN that it’s “transitioning from the Overwatch League,” seemingly spelling the tip for the competitors as soon as billed as the way forward for esports.
“We’re transitioning from the Overwatch League and evolving aggressive Overwatch in a brand new path,” an Activision Blizzard spokesperson informed IGN. “We’re grateful to everybody who made OWL doable and stay targeted on constructing our imaginative and prescient of a revitalized esports program. We’re excited to share particulars with you all within the close to future.”
Blizzard’s assertion follows earlier stories of a vote that might decide the league’s destiny on the finish of the season, which wrapped on October 1 with a Grand Finals that Kotaku described as “stunning and miserable.” Groups got a possibility to signal on to an up to date function settlement, with a money payout of $6 million for groups that opted to not proceed. Activision Blizzard has beforehand famous that Overwatch League income contains lower than 1 % of the businesses web revenues.
The tip of the Overwatch League would not necessarilly imply the tip of aggressive Overwatch. Overwatch League commissioner Sean Miller has beforehand mentioned that Blizzard stays “dedicated to a aggressive ecosystem in 2024 and past,” no matter that finally seems like.
Within the meantime, the Toronto Defiant are paying tribute to the OWL in their very own, considerably unconventional, means.
Good night OWL comrades
That is the proprietor of the Toronto Defiant
Saying goodbye to the OWL with AI generated artwork
Please direct your consideration to the underside left nook pic.twitter.com/n1MNkMRx1F— Ash Parrish (@adashtra) November 8, 2023
It wasn’t meant to be this manner. Six years in the past, Blizzard trumpeted the Overwatch League as a daring new effort within the burgeoning esports scene. Groups had been tied to particular person cities, and shopping for a franchise price a cool $20 million. Overwatch was among the many hottest video games on the planet following its large debut in 2016, resulting in unprecedented pleasure for the Overwatch League.
In 2018 we debated whether or not Overwatch League would succeed or fail, pointing to investments just like the $90 million funding with Twitch whereas additionally noting that Overwatch is not the very best esport to observe. Within the years since, Overwatch’s reputation has pale amid varied controversies and the blended success of its sequel, Overwatch 2.
Who runs these streets? ?
The sold-out crowd at Hammerstein Ballroom is right here to search out out! #OWL2020
? https://t.co/pc1CaBj71E pic.twitter.com/n2yGWYCl4T
— Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) February 9, 2020
Now the decision is in: It had its moments and its share of passionate supporters, however the Overwatch League was by no means in a position to match Activision Blizzard’s lofty expectations for the competitors.
It has been a troublesome time for esports typically over the previous yr, with one Valorant group proprietor calling it “one of many worst issues you may get into” again in June. Lofty viewership has not translated to robust income, and with funding steadily drying up, many house owners are discovering themselves closely within the pink.
Who is aware of the place Blizzard, and esports typically, will go from right here. But when nothing else, the Overwatch League was definitely enjoyable whereas it lasted.
Blogroll photograph credit score: Hunter Martin/Getty Photos
Kat Bailey is IGN’s Information Director in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Ship her a DM at @the_katbot.
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