Blizzard is taking it seriously and will soon launch the “Overwatch League” to enable players to have a life as professionals.
At the last BlizzCon 2016, Blizzard not only presented numerous details about upcoming game content but also made a fairly big announcement. They aim to establish one of the largest eSports leagues, specifically for their in-house shooter Overwatch. The “Overwatch League” is designed so that each team represents a major city while providing security for team owners as well as players.
This means that players will sign contracts regulating their compensation and benefits. The goal is to offer “esports as a real career option for the best players in the world” and to maintain this for years to come.
At BlizzCon, the rough system of the league was presented, which is also explained in detail in a German video. You can check it out here:
The “Overwatch eSports Director” Nate Nanzer has confirmed in a Korean interview that the league aims to finally kick off in the third quarter of 2017 – that is, this summer.
“In the beginning, games will be held in large stadiums in a region. With enough teams and the right infrastructure, you will be able to enjoy the Overwatch League in stadiums near your home. Furthermore, the finals of the Overwatch League will not take place at BlizzCon but will be held in a new city each year.”
Although the leagues are roughly based on regions (Europe, America, Asia, etc.), players and their teams can mix.
