Overwatch faced a lot of criticism, especially from fans who do not have access yet. Is Blizzard really only inviting streamers and the press to the closed beta?
Are only streamers and press invited to Overwatch?
Although since the resumption of the Overwatch beta significantly more players are hanging out in Blizzard’s hero shooter, the criticism from fans is still high. Only streamers and the press would gain access to the game, it is said. In the forums and on Reddit, frustrated players called the game “OnlyWatch”, meaning “only to watch”. Jeff Kaplan from Blizzard spoke with pcgamesn about these accusations. We have summarized the key points for you.
This assumption that only streamers would have been allowed into the beta is simply incorrect. According to Kaplan, “just under 1% of the approved players” are streamers and press. The perception of it is completely different.
“It’s just that, when you look on the internet and search for the Overwatch beta, what will you find? You will see the streamers playing the game and the assumption is immediately that they are the only people who have access. But that is absolutely not the case.”
Generally, Blizzard was surprised by this wave of outrage. Kaplan last had a beta running in 2008 with “Wrath of the Lich King”. Since then, expectations for a beta test have changed significantly. Players expect when they hear the word “beta” a free, almost finished trial version of a game that anyone can dive into.
Kaplan even retrospectively considers the closed beta a mistake. “In hindsight, I would have been happier if we had just called it alpha and put an NDA (“Non Disclosure Agreement”) on it. Then we could have avoided these negative reactions.”
Finally, he also sees something good in the whole issue. “If fans are angriest about not being able to play the beta themselves? I would prefer that over any other kind of criticism.” That’s understandable, because anyone complaining about not being able to play wants to – and in a few months they will be able to.
You can find more news and articles about the game on our Overwatch topic page.
