Blizzard has revealed the following evolution of top-level Overwatch 2 esports after the demise of the Overwatch League. The writer has teamed up with ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) to run the brand new Overwatch Champions Sequence (OWCS) underneath an unique multi-year settlement.
OWCS is an open-format circuit wherein groups from North America; Europe, Center East, North Africa (EMEA); and Asia can compete with out having to pay multi-million-dollar franchise charges. EFG will function the Overwatch Champions Sequence in North America and EMEA, whereas Korean esports match organizer WDG will oversee the Asia circuit.
There might be regional qualifiers and tournaments held within the lead as much as two in-person occasions later this yr at DreamHack Dallas (Could 31-June 2) and DreamHack Stockholm (November 22-24). Eight groups will compete at every occasion, with these qualifying for DreamHack Stockholm duking it out to turn out to be the primary OWCS champions. That match may even mark the primary top-level Overwatch competitors in Europe in over 5 years.
Qualifiers will begin in Feburary. Further particulars concerning the tournaments, together with codecs, ticket gross sales and prize swimming pools, might be introduced later.
“A thriving esports scene is important to a game as competitive as Overwatch 2, and we’re very excited to be entering this next era for the franchise with EFG,” the sport’s government producer Jared Neuss stated in an announcement.
Blizzard notes that any participant who’s inquisitive about getting concerned can use FACEIT’s group instruments to seek out teammates and occasions to compete in, whereas an ongoing schedule of occasions “creates a clear path to pro play for aspiring OWCS stars.” As well as, Blizzard says that by benefiting from EFG’s instruments and capabilities, it is going to be capable of create an open, inclusive and sustainable aggressive scene. FACEIT may even help these trying to run third-party tournaments and group experiences.
The Overwatch League, Blizzard’s formidable professional circuit, got here to an finish in 2023 after six seasons. The day after the 2023 Grand Finals in October, Blizzard stated it was “focusing on building our vision of a revitalized esports program.” Weeks later, a majority of groups voted to finish their participation within the league, triggering a $6 million fee to every from Activision Blizzard, and hammering the ultimate nail into OWL’s coffin.
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick’s grand imaginative and prescient for a franchised, city-based Overwatch esports league by no means fairly labored out. Elements corresponding to COVID-19, viewership struggles, Blizzard video games shutting down in China, the sexual harassment and discrimination scandal on the writer and the very fact most of the groups have been operating at a loss all contributed to OWL’s demise.
EFG, whose mother or father is the Saudi Arabia government-funded Savvy Video games Group, is arguably well-placed to run Overwatch esports as a extra sustainable endeavor. The corporate operates professional circuits for a lot of different video games, together with different Blizzard titles corresponding to StarCraft II.
Internet hosting a number of esports occasions at large-scale festivals like DreamHack (which has held Overwatch tournaments previously) helps to reduce prices. The OWCS could not find yourself promoting out arenas by itself because the Overwatch League used to, but it surely a minimum of looks like a viable, open future for Overwatch 2 esports.
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