In the current PTR version, Overwatch pays tribute to the former head of Blizzard. You can find the Easter egg in the game itself, along with a letter from his parents and the foundation stone of the company.
Near the 2nd point in Blizzard World, there is a souvenir shop from StarCraft in the live version of Overwatch. In the PTR, this has now been replaced with a portrait of Mike Morhaime, the former head of Blizzard.
A Brief History of Blizzard
This is what the homage to the former Blizzard head looks like: When you enter the room and approach the portrait, various sound files will play as long as you are nearby. The sounds are recorded speeches from Morhaime.
The former Blizzard president announced his resignation in early October 2018 and during his time there shaped many of Blizzard’s guiding principles, including:
- “Embrace your inner geek”
- “Every voice matters”
- “Easy to learn, difficult to master”
The slogans can also be found as plaques on the floor. Morhaime’s thank-you speech to the players for Blizzard’s 20th anniversary was also recorded and is played back.
This is the foundation stone of Blizzard: Part of the tribute is also a framed letter from Morhaime’s parents and a loan note to his grandmother, as well as a congratulatory card.
The card was received by Morhaime along with his parents’ letter in January 1991 as a congratulation for his decision to found Blizzard, which was then still called Silicon & Synapse. The letter reads:
Dear Mike,
You have almost everything you need to make your new company a success – brains, talent, and determination. This card provides you with the rest – a loving wish for good luck.
With love
We know you will succeed.
Best wishes.
Mom and DadWe are very proud of you.
Below is a loan note for $15,000. Morhaime borrowed the money from his grandmother. $10,000 went to founding the company, and he reportedly lived off the remaining $5,000 for the next few years.
The loan can be seen as a cornerstone of today’s Blizzard. After Morhaime’s resignation, Blizzard is now led by J. Allen Brack.
Further milestones in history: Around the portrait of Morhaime, there is a timeline that ranges from 1991 to 2018 and shows Morhaime’s and Blizzard’s achievements.
Right next to it, the first versions of the three games that Blizzard has served as pillars over the years are framed:
- Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (1994)
- Diablo (1996)
- StarCraft (1998)
The tribute to Mike Morhaime is not the only thing you can find in the PTR. A change to Route 66 in the PTR gives hints of the arrival of a new hero.
The BlizzCon starts soon as well. What Overwatch fans can expect at Blizzard’s home fair, you can learn in our article:
