The Overwatch League is supposed to continue to grow. A total of six fresh teams are set to join – including one from Germany.
Already in June, the first season of the Overwatch League ends, and Blizzard has time to take a first assessment. Apparently, they are very satisfied with the success and want to continue expanding. A total of six new teams are supposed to join the Overwatch League, and one of them could be Berlin. This was revealed by Pete Vlastelica, the CEO of Activision Blizzard Esports Leagues, in an interview with Handelsblatt.
Berlin as a potential location: For the expansion, two teams from America, two from the Asia-Pacific region, and two more from Europe and the Middle East are set to join. Berlin is on the list of potential candidates, as it is an important hub for Overwatch players for Blizzard. It is said: “Germany plays an important role for us. This is especially true for Berlin with its rich history in e-sports, startup scene, and vibrancy. Moreover, the demographic profile and cultural significance of the city come into play.”
Long-term games outside of America: The first season of the Overwatch League (and also the upcoming second) takes place entirely in America. However, for the third season, Blizzard wants to host games in the home cities of the teams. This should increase player engagement and allows fans worldwide to be “up close and personal” when the professionals face off against each other.
E-sport underdeveloped in Germany: Handelsblatt noted that e-sports in Germany are still underdeveloped compared to international standards. However, Blizzard sees this as no problem and has learned from market analyses that e-sports are gaining increasing importance for the “younger population”. The exclusive connection to “old” sports is more commonly found among older individuals.
Overall, the growth of the Overwatch League seems to be a good sign that Blizzard’s plan is working and that the league will become a financial success.
