Summary
- The potential shutdown of the Overwatch League could cost Microsoft over $100 million, according to a report, as Activision Blizzard seeks a vote from teams on its continuation.
- The majority of teams are rumored to be in favor of discontinuing the Overwatch League, with each team receiving $6 million in compensation if the vote decides to end it.
- Activision Blizzard is reportedly preparing to contract with ESL FACEIT Group to manage the 2024 Overwatch 2 esports season, potentially leading to the goodbye of the Overwatch League.
A report says the Overwatch League shutdown could cost Microsoft over $100 million. A few years ago, Blizzard shook up esports with the launch of the Overwatch League, bringing Overwatch, and later Overwatch 2 fans, high-level matches.
Back in late 2017, the Overwatch League kicked off its inaugural season with 12 teams. The following year, the league grew to 20 teams, while the regular season was reduced from 48 to 23 games. But in the third season, the Overwatch League took a big hit because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the cancellation and rescheduling of matches, and the league's jump to an online format. Even with the problems of the pandemic, the Overwatch League has produced three more seasons. But although it's one of the most famous esports leagues in the world, the Overwatch League's days may be numbered. And this decision could be costly for Microsoft.
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According to the Jacob Wolf Report, the Overwatch League shutdown could cost Microsoft more than $100 million. The article says that Activision Blizzard approached the 20 teams that make up the league with a plan for the future of Overwatch 2 esports and a request to vote for or against the continuation of the Overwatch League. Should the vote decide to end it, each team would receive $6 million in compensation, bringing the total to $120 million. The journalist says that although Activision Blizzard is still awaiting the teams' decision, the rumor is the majority of teams will vote in favor of discontinuing the Overwatch League. While most teams may leave esports altogether, some active participants will stay to await the unresolved future of the Overwatch 2 esports system.
While plans for the new Overwatch League remain open, Wolf points out that Activision Blizzard staff are preparing a contract with ESL FACEIT Group to manage the 2024 Overwatch 2 esports season. Last year Savvy Gaming Group bought ESL and FACEIT, two companies famous for their Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, and Rainbow Six Siege tournaments, creating ESL FACEIT Group. According to the journalist, Activision Blizzard sought proposals to manage the new system over the past months. With its impressive resource level, the report says that ESL FACEIT Group should emerge victorious from the discussions, leading to the Overwatch League's goodbye.
With the possible end of the Overwatch League on the horizon, Overwatch 2 players also have a big question. With the dissolution of the league, the Overwatch 2 community is waiting to find out what the final fate of the Overwatch League skins will be. And for Overwatch 2 fans who watched the Overwatch 2 World Cup at BlizzCon 2023, they wait to see what will happen with the Overwatch League.
Overwatch 2
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WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
