Blizzard is known as a company with a real esports following. Will Overwatch enjoy the same attention?
StarCraft, World of Warcraft, WarCraft, Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm. These titles are played by millions of people all over the world. But they are also occasionally spectated by almost as many people as well. Blizzard has been a strong force in the esports scene ever since the highdays of StarCraft: Brood War, and the recent addition of titles like Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm have only increased this presence. With all of this in mind, it is understandable to expect Overwatch to do equally well.
One of the people who is expecting this to happen is longtime caster Khaldor. Khaldor, known for casting games like WarCraft, StarCraft and these days Heroes of the Storm, was quick to practice his hand on casting Overwatch. In the below video, he shows a rough first impression of what we might be seeing in Overwatch casts in the near future. This first look at the in-game spectator mode is of course still very basic, and will get updated to fit the needs of spectators and casters alike. But it is an interesting example of what is already available.
For starters, the bottom of the screen is filled with an overview of both teams. This overview provides an easy reference to see what heroes are currently being played, which players are dead or which have access to the Ultimate Ability. Secondly, Khaldor showcases both the POV of a floating cam as well as the ability to jump onto any character's shoulder to watch the action from closer range.
Several elements will (have to) get added to the spectator mode. For one, a map with an overview of all players' positions would be a worthwhile addition. And we currenly have no player health bar indicators for the spectator view at all. Let us know if you have any other ideas!
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