Overwatch

Overwatch is a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on May 24, 2016, with a later release on other platforms. Set in a near-future Earth, the game centers on a diverse cast of heroes who join an international task force called Overwatch to defeat threats and protect civilians. Gameplay emphasizes cooperative play, rapid matches, and objective-based play on a variety of maps.

Matches are played between two teams of six players (in the original release), with players selecting from a roster of heroes that each have unique abilities and designated roles: Damage, Tank, and Support. Success depends on teamwork, map awareness, and ability usage. Players accumulate ultimate abilities that, when charged, can swing engagements and require coordinated counterplay. The game features multiple modes and a robust map pool with modes that include capturing points, escorting payloads, and controlling zones.

Blizzard released Overwatch 2 as a standalone live-service title, adopting a free-to-play model and a revised 5v5 format with one Tank per team. It broadened the narrative through PvE story missions and expanded the hero roster and maps. The title supports cross-platform play and account progression across supported devices, and maintains a seasonal model with periodic updates, new heroes, maps, events, and cosmetics through microtransactions.

Overwatch also established a competitive scene as Overwatch League, featuring city-based teams and structured seasons. The franchise expanded through animated shorts, comics, and in-game events that build the game's lore. The game has been praised for accessibility and spectacle, while facing ongoing discussions about balance, monetization, and player behavior in a live-service environment.