Building Overwatch League: How Blizzard Is Making Esports Mainstream-November 2024-www.zddgame.com

Building Overwatch League: How Blizzard Is Making Esports Mainstream-November 2024

Nov 23, 2024 9:22 PM

　　Esports is on the cusp of a revolution. With people empowered to watch their favorite games played at the highest level through services such as Twitch and YouTube, more people than ever before are turning to viewing competitive gaming as a form of entertainment. For the most part video game tournaments have catered to niche audiences with an interest in a specific game or genre, however, the success of Overwatch among a much broader audience has given developer and publisher Activision Blizzard an opportunity to shine a brighter spotlight on esports with Overwatch League.

　　Blizzard's ambition is to rival traditional sports when it comes to how Overwatch League is presented, and foster deep connections to teams and players by creating city-based teams. This, along with an ambitious marketing drive, as well as high-profile investment, would give its league the greatest chance at success. Of course, there are numerous challenges to overcome before it can realise this vision, and that's exactly what GameSpot's Building Overwatch League series explores.

　　Across five episodes, we take an in-depth look at the different pillars holding up the grand ambition, from Blizzard's own faith that esports can be mainstream and the people that are critical to making sure matches are presented in a way that engages all audiences, to the players that compete and the experts that ensure viewers understand what's happening.

　　Each episode features insight from key people involved in Overwatch League, including its commissioner Nate Nanzer, Overwatch's director Jeff Kaplan, players such as Custa and Bischu, and analysts including Soe and Sideshow. You can find all the episodes below.

Episode 1: Why Competitive Gaming Matters To Everyone

We talk to Blizzard about why esports matter, and how Overwatch League could jumpstart an esports revolution.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Why Competitive Gaming Matters To Everyone - Building Overwatch League

　　Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - Loadout

　　Firearms Expert’s FAVORITE Weapons Of 2023State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023How Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Saeko Mukoda Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Seonhee Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Koichi Adachi Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Yu Nanba Character Spotlight Trailer

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　enter

Episode 2: How Blizzard Is Taking On Mainstream Sports

We talk to the people responsible for the Overwatch League broadcast, and find out how they translate such a fast-paced game into stories that people can follow and engage with.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　How Blizzard Is Taking On Mainstream Sports - Building Overwatch League

　　Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - Loadout

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　enter

Episode 3: Why Celebrities Are Spending So Much Money To Be Involved

We talk to the people who invested millions in Blizzard's vision for Overwatch League sight unseen, discussing the potential they see in esports, how they're committed to its growth, and the responsibilities they now have to their players.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Why Celebrities Are Spending So Much Money To Be Involved - Building Overwatch League

　　Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - Loadout

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　enter

Episode 4: Turning Gamers Into Superstar Athletes

We talk to the players at the heart of the esport, reflecting on the risks they've taken to become pros, how their lifestyles have changed, and whether it was all worth it.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Turning Gamers Into Superstar Athletes - Building Overwatch League

　　Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - Loadout

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　enter

Episode 5: Creating A New Future For Esports

We look at what Blizzard has achieved in its first season, how the League has changed esports, and ask those most dedicated to it to envision its future.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　Creating A New Future For Esports - Building Overwatch League

　　Thompson: The Pop Culture Icon’s Strange Legacy - Loadout

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto HD High Low

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　enter

Previous Article：Star Wars: Han Solo's Jacket Expected To Sell For Over $1 Million Next Article：The Simpsons Will Be On TV For A Long Time To Come, Fox Teases

Comments

Welcome to zddgame comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.

Show More Comments

Gaming News

GTA Online now halves money earnt from repeated missions, confirms Rockstar

Destiny beta codes available this week

New Alien game in the works?

WWE 2K14 DLC and season pass revealed