What exact purpose does the PTR of Overwatch actually serve? Jeff Kaplan addresses the topic.
The PTR of Overwatch has been active again for several weeks and brings a lot of changes to game balance. Many players are wondering, though: What is the purpose of the PTR? The criticism is that Blizzard wouldn’t listen to player feedback anyway and console owners are left out completely.
In the latest Developer Update, Jeff Kaplan has taken on these questions and briefly explains for about a quarter of an hour why the PTR is so important.
First, Kaplan addresses what exactly happens on a test server: Changes are tested that are supposed to be implemented in a later patch into the live version of the game. What sounds trivial seems to be forgotten by some players. The changes on the PTR are provisional and can change before release. “It is a test field. If we ruin a hero, we will nudge him back in the right direction.”
Relatively few players actually try out the changes on the PTR, which is also due to the fact that there are hardly any incentives. While there are considerations about whether testers from the PTR should be rewarded with loot boxes or a portion of earned experience points, they are hesitating. The time to program such features for the PTR is currently preferred to create new content for all players. However, they are keeping an eye on this for the future.
The fact that there is no PTR on consoles has nothing to do with Blizzard not being interested in feedback on PS4 and Xbox One. The reason is simply that it is significantly more difficult to offer a PTR on consoles. The underlying systems belong to Sony and Microsoft, who proceed very cautiously and must certify every update first. Kaplan does not completely rule out that console players might get a test server in the future, but currently this is associated with “logistical difficulties”.
