Blizzard Entertainment is particularly known for developing some iconic RPGs
Blizzard’s Overwatch closed beta to start soon, according to news coming from the video game developer / publisher. Blizzard Entertainment announced the highly stylized multiplayer first-person shooter at last year’s BlizzCon, which was held on November 7.
Now, almost a year since it was first announced, the famous video game developing / publishing company has said that the upcoming title will soon start its beta phase. In an online post on their website, Blizzard Entertainment announced that the official date for the start of the beta testing is October 27. In this post, the company also mentioned that it is currently recruiting its first batch of beta testers.
The beta phase for Overwatch has two main purposes. One is to get as much detailed feedback as possible from testers regarding the gameplay experience offered by the prototype. According to producers, it is all about game balance, fun and feel.
Secondly, Blizzard wants to test how much stress the company’s game servers can withstand and make sure their upcoming game will run smoothly on all available platforms that can possibly support it.
For these purposes, Blizzard has said that it will divide beta testers into two different groups, each with its own mission objectives and deployment schedules.
The beta launch on October 27 will be limited geographically to the North and South American continents. However, Blizzard has announced that it will organize larger-scale Beta Test Weekends at various points across the planet in the near future. This of course will be in line with the company’s objective of testing the stress levels that the serves running the game can take, by reaching out to new players.
Blizzard Entertainment is primarily known for developing RPGs, including some iconic titles, such as Diablo, StarCraft and the Warcraft series. When they announced Overwatch, it came as a surprise that the company would develop a multiplayer first-person shooter of this magnitude.
Overwatch will not be a typical FPS however. The game will emphasize cooperative, team-orientated gameplay using a cast of various “heroes” or archetypes the players can choose from. 18 playable heroes will be available, each with his/her own abilities and special perks that define them as tanks, supports, damage dealers, reconnaissance specialists or hybrid classes.
Some game critics have noted certain similarities with Valve’s Team Fortress 2, which has arguably consecrated cooperative gameplay for multiplayer FPS games. Nonetheless, Blizzard has promised that their new title will deliver an original and captivating online gaming experience.
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