Overwatch League Returns This Friday With Online Matches
Esports fans rejoice! The Overwatch League will resume with online play starting this Friday. To say that Blizzard got the short end of the stick after deciding to go with the localized, city-based model would be an understatement. No one could have foreseen the coronavirus outbreak. More importantly, no one could’ve anticipated how big of an impact it would have not only on esports but on the world.
Off to a Great Start
Blizzard was fighting an uphill battle from the moment they decided to replicate the NBA model. The logistics of such an undertaking were seemingly monumental. Many doubted Blizzard’s ability to thrive under such pressure. But against all the odds, they found a lot of success. The first couple of homestands were exceptional. The Overwatch meta was flexible and entertaining. The matches we saw were brimming with action and spectacle. Then came news of the pandemic. We all know how the situation further developed.
We’ve already written about the pandemic ad nauseam over the last couple of months, and it’s a well-known fact that every esport competition out there was either halted immediately or indefinitely postponed. Player health and safety must come first, and dire circumstances require drastic measures. No one’s quite sure how to handle the entire epidemic, but pausing all competitions is the right course of action.
Similarly, most traditional sport events have met the same fate. Fortunately, this is where esports has the upper hand. Things can still carry on virtually.
The North American LCS and European LEC will resume this week. The same goes for the Overwatch League. Blizzard, much like Riot, has overcome the biggest logistical hurdle and will now stream the rest of the season online. For the many Overwatch fans across the globe, this is spectacular news.
Format and Updated Schedule
According to OWL Vice President Jon Spector, teams divide into separate servers for optimal latency to create a lag-free environment. This allows teams to compete on an even footing. To make up for lost time, teams will compete on Fridays as well.
If everything goes according to plan, teams will play through their previously scheduled March and April matches. You can read more about the shift to online play by going to the official Overwatch League website.
The fact that things will return to normal (at least to a certain degree) is downright phenomenal. We’re all itching for top-tier Overwatch play. With self-quarantining heavily advised, we finally have something to watch on the weekends.
As always, we’ll bring you more coverage as things develop. Stay safe and use this new-found free time to game to your heart’s content!
Comments