It has been a rocky year or two for the Overwatch esports scene. Following the implosion of the Overwatch League, Blizzard turned things around and formed the Overwatch Champions Series, the world final of which is taking place right now at DreamHack Stockholm.
It was bad enough that Overwatch 2 has found it tough to maintain traction since being released in 2022, and only the pivot to a free-to-play operating model may have saved the game long-term.
Recently, Blizzard revealed some major changes coming to the OWCS 2025 season that might make fans tune back into the action.
On The Up
The Overwatch Champions Series, a $1.3 million tournament, is Blizzard’s attempt to revitalise the struggling esports ecosystem built on the foundation of a near-ten-year-old hero shooter franchise.
It’s not going too badly, but it’s a far cry from the game’s peak.
In 2022, the Overwatch League Playoffs secured a peak viewer count of 397,000 users, according to EsportsCharts. That was the highest it had been in a good four years, but so far, the OWCS has only managed to dredge up a peak viewership of 111,500 users.
However, Blizzard refuses to relent. In a recent update on social media, the firm revealed that some major changes are inbound to the OWCS ahead of the 2025 season commencing, including:
- A streamlined format
- Three stages and three live events
- More broadcasts
- FACEIT as a path in OWCS
- An OWCS team partner program
In a statement, Blizzard wrote:
In 2025, we’re doubling down on what has made OWCS so captivating by focusing on three big areas: creating a more rewarding and open competition; streamlining our programs; and increasing accessibility for players and fans. We’re also thrilled to introduce a new OWCS Team Partner program. You won’t have to wait long–the 2025 OWCS Season starts in January.
From January to November, the OWCS 2025 season will unravel, starting with the first regular season and ending with the World Finals tournament (location undetermined).
Blizzard revealed that the team partner program will yield team packs in-game, but they won’t be available until ‘the back half of the 2025 OWCS season’, so you’ll need to hang on a little longer until you can support your favourite Overwatch esports team.
Do you think these changes are going to make a difference? Let us know on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming esports, check out the news that Team Falcons won ‘Esports Org of the Year’
