Overwatch is Desperate

Summary

Overwatch has long been stagnant, relying on its dominant position in the hero shooter genre without any serious competition. However, Marvel Rivals has emerged as a formidable challenger, forcing Overwatch to make some much-needed changes. Blizzard is finally introducing features like loot boxes, perks, and third-person mode, but these feel more like desperate attempts to reignite interest. The competition has sparked innovation in both games, and while it's not enough to lure the speaker back into Overwatch, the hope is that these changes will lead to a better gaming experience for both titles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Competition is beneficial for consumers because it forces companies to improve their products and offer better options.
• 😀 Overwatch has been complacent for a long time, offering little innovation due to a lack of competition in the hero shooter market.
• 😀 *Overwatch 2* failed to deliver on its promises, with no PvE mode and a lack of significant improvements, leading to disappointment among players.
• 😀 *Marvel Rivals* has emerged as a strong competitor to *Overwatch*, injecting innovation into the hero shooter genre and offering regular updates.
• 😀 Both *Overwatch* and *Marvel Rivals* benefit from each other’s success, as competition forces both games to improve in order to stay relevant.
• 😀 *Overwatch* is attempting to make changes to its game, including reintroducing loot boxes and adding new features like perks and a third-person mode.
• 😀 *Marvel Rivals* has grown rapidly, holding over 250,000 players on Steam and is highly praised for listening to community feedback and implementing changes.
• 😀 *Overwatch*’s recent updates, like adding perks and attempting a pseudo-MOBA mode with Stadium, show that Blizzard is trying to keep up with the competition.
• 😀 Despite *Overwatch*’s attempts to innovate, the speaker remains skeptical and does not think these changes are enough to bring them back into the game.
• 😀 The speaker sees competition between games as healthy, pushing for more exciting and innovative developments in the gaming industry.

Q & A

What does the speaker say about competition in the gaming industry?

The speaker argues that competition is beneficial for consumers as it pushes companies to innovate and improve, leading to better products and services. Without competition, companies can become complacent and stop evolving.

How does the speaker describe Overwatch's state over the years?

The speaker describes Overwatch as being stagnant, stuck in a 'holding pattern' where it didn't need to improve due to the lack of competition. This stagnation led to a decline in the game's appeal.

What was the issue with Overwatch 2, according to the speaker?

The speaker criticizes Overwatch 2 as a failed attempt to revitalize the game, pointing out that it was essentially just a rebranded version of Overwatch 1 with minimal changes and no fulfillment of promises, such as the absence of promised PVE content.

Why does the speaker believe Marvel Rivals is a good thing for both Overwatch and its own community?

The speaker believes that Marvel Rivals' success forces Overwatch to make improvements, which benefits both games. For Marvel Rivals, Overwatch's competition pushes it to enhance its offerings, and vice versa, which ultimately benefits players of both games.

How has Marvel Rivals performed in comparison to Overwatch?

Marvel Rivals has outperformed Overwatch in terms of player count, regularly holding over 250,000 players on Steam, and it is continuing to grow with constant updates and active community engagement, whereas Overwatch's numbers are seen as 'brutal' by comparison.

What are some of the new features Overwatch is introducing in response to the competition?

Overwatch is introducing several new features, including the return of loot boxes, the addition of hero-specific perks, a third-person mode, and a new game mode similar to those found in other games like Apex Legends and Valorant.

What is the speaker's opinion on the return of loot boxes in Overwatch?

The speaker is critical of the return of loot boxes, viewing it as a desperate move from Overwatch, signaling a lack of real innovation. They mock it as something that Overwatch has 'never tried before,' despite the feature being part of the game in the past.

Why does the speaker think Marvel Rivals' success has influenced Overwatch's decision to make changes?

The speaker suggests that Marvel Rivals' popularity and success have forced Overwatch to try harder in order to remain competitive. For the first time in years, Overwatch is making real efforts to improve and innovate due to the threat of losing players to a strong competitor.

Does the speaker believe the recent changes in Overwatch will be enough to bring players back to the game?

No, the speaker is skeptical about the effectiveness of Overwatch's recent changes in bringing players back. While they acknowledge the game is trying, they believe it’s too little, too late, and that they personally won't be returning to the game.

What role does competition play in the speaker's overall view of the gaming industry?

The speaker believes competition is essential for driving innovation and improvement. When a game or company has no real competition, it can become lazy and stagnant. Competition forces companies to listen to players and evolve, which ultimately benefits consumers and the industry as a whole.