Overwatch 2’s competitive landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, moving beyond the emotional conclusion of the Overwatch League and embracing a novel format that is likely to resonate well with traditional esports enthusiasts.
The official esports component of the game will now be known as the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS). This series is set to encompass regional competitions spanning North America (NA), Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), as well as the Asia region. The culmination of these regional battles will occur at international live events hosted by DreamHack.
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Commencing in February and March, the initial stage events will pave the way for the first major OWCS tournament at DreamHack Dallas, scheduled to commence on May 31. Subsequent events are slated for August, with the grand finals taking place in Europe at DreamHack Stockholm in December.
For a comprehensive overview of the announced details, the official blog post offers in-depth information. What sets OWCS apart is its departure from the Overwatch League’s attempt to impose a traditional American sports format, featuring franchised teams rooted in specific geographical locations, onto the global esports scene.
Although the Overwatch League achieved some success with this format, critics deemed it an awkward fit for the inherently international nature of esports.
While the actual outcome of OWCS remains uncertain until its launch, the prevailing sentiment from the gaming community appears optimistic. One can gauge the general tone by perusing Reddit comments, where expressions of enthusiasm like “we’re so back” are prevalent.
The key concern among the community revolves around lingering reservations about Savvy Games Group, a company backed by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and owner of FACEIT, a major partner in the execution of OWCS.