Overwatch Gets Overhauled With A New Patch

Posted March 23, 2016 by Guest Contributor

Blizzard has released a new 1.5GB patch for the beta of Overwatch that brings with it a host of new changes. One of the biggest parts about the new update is the new map, Route 66, along with a new game mode called Weekly Brawl, which allows players a set of different rules for a custom game.

Blizzard explained that “In one Weekly Brawl, you’ll only be able to play Soldier: 76, while in another Weekly Brawl, a random hero will be selected for you each time you respawn,”. The Weekly Brawl can be accessed from the main menu either solo or in a party. Currently, the mode will rotate daily rather than weekly but will return to a normal schedule “in the near future”. The update also adds a new highlight feature to extend the use of Play of the Game. After at least on match, anyone can save up to five highlights, but they will disappear after you log off.

Here is the list of changes.

Player Progression

All available and unlocked achievements can be viewed in the Career Profile > Achievements tab
Select achievements will now unlock general and hero-specific sprays (which can be equipped in the Hero Gallery)
Players will now unlock a new portrait frame every 10 levels, instead of only at levels 10, 25, 50, and 100
Players will now receive a promotion every 100 levels
When a player receives a promotion, they will unlock a new portrait frame theme
With each new promotion, the player’s level (and the EXP required to level) will be reset
New Legendary skins have been added for several heroes
Plays of the Games have received a polish pass

Joining and Leaving Games

Players will now receive an EXP bonus for playing multiple matches in succession
Players who backfill into a match will no longer receive a loss for that match (even if it ends in a defeat), but can still receive a win
These players will also receive an additional EXP bonus for the match, if completed
Players who leave an in-progress match will now receive an automatic loss
Players who repeatedly leave in-progress matches will also receive a temporary penalty on EXP gained from future matches (this penalty will persist as long as the player continues to repeatedly leave in-progress matches)

Group Improvements

Players can now request to “Join a Group”
When a group leader leaves a game, he or she will now have the option to leave with the group intact
Expanded preferences for groups have been added to the Options menu
Option to allow current group members to invite other players to the group
Option to allow “Anyone,” “Friends,” or “No One” to join your group without an invite

Miscellaneous

The new player experience has been updated
The Tutorial and Practice Range have received a polish pass
Dialogs will now guide new players through the Tutorial, Practice Range, and Practice vs AI modes before recommending Quick Play
Players can now browse the main menu while queued for Quick Play, Play vs AI, or Weekly Brawl! games
“Healing Done” has replaced “Final Blows” as an available end-of-match medal
End-of-match commendations have received another tuning pass
AI heroes will now melee and use Health Packs

Overwatch is currently in closed beta with early-access open beta May 3-4 and the all-access open beta May 5-9 with the game set to release on PC, Playstation 4, and Xbox One on May 24.

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Written By Guest Contributor Austin

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