Overwatch PTR 1.47 (67502)
Blizzard Entertainment release a new patch to the Overwatch PTR servers to address several Echo bug fixes, and minor ones for D.va and Tracer. This patch was over 800MB.
Overwatch PTR 1.47 (67360) – Echo Nerfed
The latest PTR patch has nerfed Echo a little bit by reducing her sticky bomb damage slightly and increasing her Ultimate cost.
HERO UPDATES
Ashe
The Viper (Secondary Fire)
- Updated lever action sound to better line up with when she can shoot again
Echo
Sticky Bombs
- Explosion damage reduced from 30 to 25
Duplicate
- Ultimate cost increased by 16%
BUG FIXES
Heroes
Tracer
- Fixed a bug where blinking mid-air could allow Tracer to move slightly vertically upward
Echo
- Fixed a bug where a Duplicated hack or sleep wouldn’t persist 3 seconds after the duplication ended
Introducing Echo | Developer Update
Jeff Kaplan introduced Echo in this latest Developer Update and announced that Echo is now on the PTR. He described her abilities and the Ultimate ability.
Echo is definitely going to change how we have been playing Overwatch these past years. She has Flight and glide, she can do boosted damage to players and even Barriers that are 50% health, she can stick bombs, and her Ultimate — like her namesake — duplicates an enemy player’s abilities and Ultimate abilities — and by doing so, her own Ultimate charge grows — meaning that Echo can cast her Ultimate very often.
Just imagine 3 tanks in your team when Echo copies the enemy’s tank. Or duplicating the enemy’s Mercy to have two resurrections in your team. From what Jeff described… it is going to be pandemonium. The transcript has been added below.
Blizzard Teases New 2020 Overwatch Hero: Echo?
A new tweet by the Overwatch account has posted what looks like a new hero teaser, akin to the ones we have seen before for Sigma, Orisa, and other heroes.
This log by Mina Liao gives a very strong vibe that the new hero might be Echo. Better yet… the tab indicates: March 20th. Today is March 16…
> Accessing…
> Fragment Recovered: Personal Log of Dr. Mina Liao
> File status: Complete
Overwatch Archives 2020 Event
Blizzard Entertainment has rolled out the Overwatch Archive 2020 Event which lasts from March 12 – April 2.
This year, there is a lot of rewards to work for.
Overwatch Lead Writer Michael Chu Departs Blizzard
The Overwatch lead writer Michael Chu announced via Twitter that he is departing Blizzard Entertainment: “moving on to new adventures!”
He leaves behind a legacy of in-game dialogues and story, cinematics, short stories, comics, and no doubt most of the core stories we will encounter in Overwatch 2, and a few fun BlizzCon panels and Q&As to binge in YouTube.
Good luck wherever he lands, and future projects.
Ashe Mardi Gras Challenge
The Ashe Mardi Gras Challenge event has started. Watch participating streams to earn new Mardi Gras sprays. The event lasts from Feb 25 – Mar 9.
Toy Fair NY 2020: Figma Overwatch Action Figures
Good Smile Company and Figma showed off the newest Figma Overwatch action figures joining the roster, now shipping.
The action figures were developed with cooperation by Masaki Apsy.
- Figma Overwatch Zenyatta Figure
- Figma Overwatch D.va Figure
- Figma Overwatch Tracer Figure
- Figma Overwatch McCree Figure
Razer Nari Ultimate Overwatch Lucio Edition
Razer is selling the Blizzard-licensed Razer Nari Ultimate Overwatch Lucio Edition for PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch and mobile via its 3.5mm and USB connectors. Usually at $229.99, you can get it now for $169.99. That’s $60 or 26% off.
- Razer Hypersense Haptic Feedback for Unparalleled Immersion: Provides industry-leading audio realism for intense, in-game immersion and positional accuracy coupled with THX Spatial 7.1 surround sound.
- 2.4GHz Wireless Audio – Enjoy high-fidelity, no-lag gaming audio.
- Lightweight & Auto-Adjusting Headband for Extended Gaming Sessions: The Nari Ultimate adapts to the shape of the user’s head for convenient comfort.
- Retractable Mic with Audio Adjustment: Tune game/chat balance for the perfect mix of game audio and team communication; also includes a volume adjustment wheel and mic mute button directly on the headset.
- Soft Cloth Cushions with Cooling Gel: Reduces heat build-up while providing comfort and sound isolation for hours of comfort.
- Compatibility: Wireless connection with PC and PS4. Wired compatibility via 3.5mm cable with PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices
- Ultimate Personalization & Gaming Immersion with Razer Chroma: Includes 16.8 million color combinations.
YouTube paid Activision Blizzard $160M for Overwatch League Streaming
In a strange move, recently Blizzard Entertainment moved the Overwatch League broadcast streaming from Twitch to YouTube.
eSports Observer uncovered through sources familiar with negotiations and contracts that YouTube paid $160 millions to Activision Blizzard for a 3-year media rights deal to stream Overwatch League through YouTube.
Overwatch PTR 1.45.0.0.66092 Patch Notes
The latest Overwatch PTR patch doesn’t have any hero balancing updates. It merely fixes several Workshop bugs. You can read the previous PTR patch which introduced the new Hero Pools feature here.
Overwatch Patch 1.44.0.1.66085 – Patch Notes
Blizzard Entertainment deployed the Overwatch Patch 1.44.0.1.66085. This patch nerfs Brigitte, Widowmaker and Wrecking Ball slightly, and buffs Symmetra’s photon projections with +20 damage.
The console version only has 2 additional changes to Symmetra’s turrets and Ana’s bullet size.
Overwatch League 2020 Day 1 VOD
The Overwatch League 2020 has kicked off with its Day 1 matches. The first day was hosted in New York at the Hammerstein Ballroom (Manhattan), but Dallas will host other rounds later.
Below you can read the teams that fought the opening weekend.
Overwatch League Goat Brigitte Skin Available
Today, Blizzard Entertainment enabled the purchase of the Overwatch League exclusive Goat Brigitte skin for 200 League Tokens — or its US dollar equivalent: $9.99.
Check out the gallery and press the YouTube title to launch the Full Screen. The gear icon at the landing page enables 1080HD.
Overwatch 2 Job Opening Reveals Story Description
A job opening for the Overwatch 2 team seems to openly explain the story behind the upcoming sequel.
The Overwatch members are coming together to fight a new Omnic Crisis by Null Sector. But not the same Null Sector of Uprising in King’s Row. This new Null Sector is invading several nations around the world.
The brief paragraph describing the story gives better context than what the developers actually said about the story in the BlizzCon 2019 Overwatch 2 panel. You can read the panel transcript here.
You can apply for this job opening here.
Engine Systems Engineer – Overwatch 2
In Overwatch 2, the nations of Earth are under assault. As the omnic forces of Null Sector launch a barrage of surprise attacks around the world, the planet’s governments and militaries prove quickly outmatched—and the remnants of the fearless strike force once known as Overwatch rally to make a valiant stand. Now the world’s heroes must each decide whether to answer the call to reemerge, reunite, and serve as a beacon of hope in a new era of crisis.
We are seeking a talented, motivated, and experienced Engine Systems Engineer who shares our values:
- We take responsibility for delivering our work.
- We collaborate constantly, helping each other to be successful.
- We continuously improve our knowledge, workflows and processes.
- We communicate openly, calling out issues, opportunities, and sharing feedback.
- We have integrity, maintain confidentiality, and share a sense of ownership in our success.
- We have passion for the game, our players, quality work, and technology.
This philosophy, along with the Blizzard values of “Gameplay First” and “Play Nice, Play Fair,” has made Overwatch one of Blizzard’s most successful games, and it has forged a bond of trust with our worldwide player community that is extremely important to us.
Our ideal candidate has a passion for games and developing systems on multiple platforms, working in areas like core architecture, scene management, memory management, data storage and delivery systems and formats.
Responsibilities
- Chip in to the development and discussions surrounding overall engine architecture
- Collaborate with designers, artists, and engineers to develop and refine key systems which used by multiple game titles
- Design, implement and develop tools for designers and artists, including platform specific engine implementation
- Maintain tools for performance, stability, and error-free operation
- Identify and resolve pipeline issues and discover opportunities for improvement
Requirements
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience on at least one shipped title
- C++ and object-oriented design skills
- Experience working with game engines or real-time kernels
- Good understanding of game content pipeline and tools
- Ability to collaborate with technical and non-technical teammates
- Self-motivated and a great teammate willing to pitch in on many areas of development
- Passion for writing clean and performant code
Pluses
- Experience with rendering, shader development, and graphics hardware and API’s
- Knowledge of animation, camera control, and lighting
- C#, WPF, Javascript, Python, or other languages
- Interest in workflow automation
Blizzard Entertainment is a global company committed to growing our employees along with the business. We offer generous benefits and perks with an eye on providing true work / life balance. We’ve worked hard to foster an intensely collaborative and creative environment, a diverse and inclusive employee culture, and training and opportunity for professional growth. Our people are everything. Our core values are real, and our mission has never changed. We are dedicated to creating the most epic entertainment experiences…ever. Join us!
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