Overwatch Confirmed for PS4, Xbox One; Not Free-to-Play
By Kyle Sledge 26 October 2015
Blizzard confirms its multiplayer first-person shooter Overwatch will be available for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and announces the game’s price.
During BlizzCon 2015, the world renowned game developer and publisher Blizzard revealed console versions of an Origins Edition and Collector’s Edition of its forthcoming first-person shooter known as Overwatch, thus validating yesterday’s GameStop leak about the game coming to PS4 and Xbox One. Both editions are set to contain a plethora of in-game content, and will cost actual money, laying to rest rumors that game will be free-to-play.
Overwatch‘s Origins Edition will provide fans with all 21 heroes in addition to five different skins designed to “hearken to the backstories” of each character, including Overgrown Bastion (a robotic Defense hero), Blackwatch Reyes (AKA Reaper, a mercenary Offense hero) and Splitstream Tracer (a time-jumping, teleporting Offense hero). It’s also been announced that “goodies” from other Blizzard games will come with the Origins Edition, such as a World of Warcraft pet. Furthermore, the Origins Edition will be available for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One for $60.
It’s been declared that the Collector’s Edition will include everything from the Origins Edition, as well as a bronze statue of Soldier: 76 (a vigilante Offense hero), a soundtrack, and a source book. Retailers have listed the Collector’s Edition for $129.99.
For PC fans wishing to experience Overwatch in a more bare bones form, there will be a base version of the game with little to no frills, and it will set players back $40. This particular iteration won’t be available for consoles at launch, and no confirmation was given as to whether or not the base model had the potential to be ported for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in the future.
On October 27, Blizzard sent out public beta invites for Overwatch via Battle.net, while also divulging plans for open beta weekends that will allow players to download the preview version and help stress test the title’s servers. In doing so, the developer is hoping to get feedback on gameplay, and will attempt to see how much work needs to be done involving its system infrastructure.
After announcing Overwatch almost a year ago with a game trailer and screenshots, today’s announcement from Blizzard regarding the FPS as a paid PC, PS4, and Xbox One title is a big move in the right direction for the company. Considering Diablo 3‘s success on all three platforms, the studio’s decision to develop its multiplayer combat title for each port ought to be a boon not only for fans, but for the company’s bottom line.
Overwatch is primed to release in full sometime in Spring 2016 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Source: Polygon
