The Overwatch League is the event with which Blizzard wants to establish its hero shooter in eSports. It is also the event that our author Benedict is looking forward to the most this year. Here are 5 reasons why he thinks the Overwatch League will be great!
Tonight, one of the most important eSports events of Overwatch begins: the Overwatch League. 12 teams are fighting for victory and a steep career in pro gaming. Among the competitors are also well-known names.
But why exactly should the league interest eSports fans?
1. More eSports!
The first reason why the League not only interests me but excites me is so simple: It means more eSports. Blizzard invests many resources in broadcasting and promotion to ensure interest.
And obviously, it works. The seats in the arena specifically built for the League are already filled for the first days, the tickets sold out. There is a demand that is exhilarating. A nerd championship, so to speak.
Such an event would mean a boost for eSports in general. Sponsors and broadcasters are taking notice, and in Germany, more and more companies are entering eSports. For anyone wishing for a future in mouse sports, this is a great thing! And I wish for such a future.
2. The Concept: Connection to Cities Binds
The teams of the Overwatch League not only represent the players and their sponsors but also cities around the world! Although strictly speaking, only the owner of the team is truly connected to the respective city. But anyone cheering for a team is also rooting for the city’s victory – and those who can’t decide on a team will choose a city they like!
This is a clever move by Blizzard. Like in local sports, this will also draw in less eSport-affine and not-yet-fans to show interest – although this mainly applies to the USA.
However, this hides two major advantages. First, this local attraction affects the size of the event: more fans mean more relevance. Secondly, the concept is an incentive for further, possibly smaller tournaments with a similar system. That can spread eSports.
3. New Faces
As someone who engages extensively and gladly with eSports, I am mostly familiar with the names of the most successful players in Overwatch. Even those who are just casually interested probably know the names of most teams and their players, as there is little change at the top. The names of the top players change rarely.
But in the Overwatch League, the most well-known teams and players do not play, but the best in the world in new teams. The teams present some players whose names you might not necessarily know. They fight alongside stars like Seagull, ShaDowBurn, or sinatraa.
Besides the fresh wind in the Major League of Overwatch, this brings the chance for more variety in hero selection. Overwatch becomes more diverse and multifaceted as a game and as a sport! This can only promote the growth of the League and promises even more new talents to make a name for themselves.
4. Fresh Wind
Together with the new players, new playstyles also take the stage of Overwatch eSports. The rough edges of the old hands offer little variety, but the new players can pleasantly surprise – maybe even with the entire team.
At least I hope so. With the number of equal and high-quality teams, I can’t imagine that only comparisons are made on who masters the meta best. I look forward to unexpected strategies and crazy tactics that bring victory – or simply entertain!
5. Overwatch League Skins and Goodies
Lastly, and not unprejudiced … Through the Overwatch League, new team skins will come into the game for the first time, allowing me to openly show my support for the LA Valiants. I don’t need luck for this; I can specifically buy the skin – like any fan of a specific team.
It’s a fitting and cool idea to bring a counterpart to fan jerseys into eSports. One can immediately draw a parallel to “real” sports, and at the same time, it is clear that it is still something special. After all, they are digital goods.
In summary, I believe that the Overwatch League is doing a lot right. The entire tournament resembles a sports event more than a LAN with a few geeks. It shows that eSports is more than just gaming with a few spectators.
It is a new way, a new area of sports that has finally established itself and can no longer be denied! Good!
