BlizzCon 2014 is taking place this weekend in Anaheim and, as one would expect, Blizzard had a flurry of announcements. The most interesting of the revelations was its first new IP in 17 years titled, "Overwatch." It's a team-based, 6v6 multiplayer shooter that will focus on "fun, over-the-top" characters, according to Polygon.
The game was introduced with a slickly produced CGI trailer displaying Pixar-styled animation of the Overwatch: "An elite international task force charged with ending the war and restoring liberty to all nations." Check out the CGI intro trailer below:
Overwatch is set on a near-future Earth, with a cast of heroes including "mercenaries, scientists, and adventurers" that do battle in arenas that look much like London city streets or the grand pyramids of Egypt.
Right after that initial announcement, Blizzard screened a video of "Overwatch's" gameplay. One team prepared defenses while the opposing team used a variety of powers and skills to capture objectives. Some characters are fortified with healing streams, others lug around massive energy shields, and others can throw down turrets. That is also below:
Tracer, for example, is a former British test-pilot who can teleport, drop bombs, and reverse time. Another character, WInston, is a genius ape (who seems much like the X-Men's Beast at first blush) who uses a jetpack to take to the rooftops and rage his way into battle.
Personally, I'm not huge fan of these kinds of games (i.e., dedicated online shooters), but this one definitely has me intrigued and is now coming in HOT on my radar.
The beta for "Overwatch" is coming in 2015. You can sign up now at playoverwatch.com.
