What is Overwatch?
What adult sponsors, parents, and players need to know about Overwatch
Jamie at PlayVS avatar
Written by Jamie at PlayVS
Updated over a week ago

Overwatch is a team-based, multiplayer, first-person hero action game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Overwatch is rated T for Teen.

What's the game objective of Overwatch?

Overwatch is a colorful, team-based, fantasy action game starring a diverse cast of powerful heroes. Build a team, travel the world, and compete in exhilarating 5v5 objective-based combat. Overwatch requires a tremendous amount of critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity from players to control objectives and influence the outcome of the match.

Which characters can I choose from?

Before the start of each game, players select from a pool of 32 different characters. Overwatch features an international cast of powerful heroes!

heroes-bead660431.jpg

How is Overwatch played?

For every Overwatch match, teams compete for a unique map. Game 1 will be the Control map, where the first team to win two rounds wins. Game 2 will be an Assault map where Attackers fight to capture a series of objectives while defenders hold them off until time runs out. If needed, game 3 will be played to obtain the Escort map where Attackers escort a payload to a delivery point as defenders try to stop them.

What is the game format?

Teams will compete in a Best of Five (Bo5) format against one another rotating through different Overwatch Game Modes and Maps. The first team to win 3 individual games will be awarded the match win.

What platform will the game be played on?

We are happy to announce that we will be offering Crossplay capabilities for our Overwatch leagues! While we recommend competing in Overwatch on PC, as this is the main platform used by the highest level of competition, players will be able to compete with any available platforms supported by the game. As of today, this consists of the following

  • PC

  • Playstation 4

  • Xbox One

  • Nintendo Switch

What days will Overwatch be played on?

Overwatch’s official match days will be on Wednesdays.

What is the Game Mode rotation and Map pool per game mode?

Game Mode

Map Pool

Game 1: Control

Nepal, Lijiang Tower, Ilios, Oasis, Antarctic Peninsula

Game 2: Assault

New Queen Street, Colosseo, Esperança

Game 3: Escort

Junkertown, Circuit Royal, Dorado, Havana, Rialto, Shambali Monastery

Game 4: Hybrid

Blizzard World, King’s Row, Midtown, Paraiso

Game 5: Control

Nepal, Lijiang Tower, Ilios, Oasis, Antarctic Peninsula

Game 6 (Tiebreaker ONLY): Control

Lijiang Tower

How will Map and Side selection work?

The losing team of the first game will have map selection. The losing team will determine the map, while the winning team will have side selection. (Note: In the lobby, Team 1 will always defend first and Team 2 will always attack first).

Map Selection

Side Selection

Higher Seed ➤ Picks Map 1

Loser of Map 1 ➤ Picks Map 2

Winner of Map 1 ➤ Selects Side

Loser of Map 2 ➤ Picks Map 3

Winner of Map 2 ➤ Selects Side

Loser of Map 3 ➤ Picks Map 4

Winner of Map 3 ➤ Selects Side

Loser of Map 4 ➤ Picks Map 5

Winner of Map 4 ➤ Selects Side

What hardware will be required to play?

  • PC Requirements (Per Player)

    • PC with minimum/recommended requirements found here.

    • Mouse

    • Keyboard

    • Headset with microphone for team communication

    • Online connection

    • Battle.net Account with an Overwatch License

  • PS4 Requirements (Per Player)

    • PS4 Console

    • Controller

    • Headset with microphone for team communication

    • Online connection

    • Overwatch for Playstation 4

    • Playstation Plus Subscription

  • Xbox One Requirements (Per Player)

    • Xbox One Console

    • Controller

    • Headset with microphone for team communication

    • Online connection

    • Overwatch for Xbox One

    • Xbox Live Subscription

  • Nintendo Switch Requirements (Per Player)

    • Nintendo Switch System

    • Controller

    • Headset with microphone for team communication

    • Online connection

    • Overwatch for the Nintendo Switch

    • Nintendo Switch Online Membership

Will aim-assist be supported?

Currently, controller aim-assist will be automatically turned off in any cross-play matches involving any PC players. Due to this we heavily suggest competing on PC as opposed to console.

Questions? Send a message through chat on the site, or email us at support@playvs.com!


2021 - 2022 Version 4.0
V3.0 - 12/6/21 // Rewrote as FAQ format, added opening image

V3.1 - 12/16/21 // Edited FAQ question

V3.2 - 12/17/21 // Added association list - wc

V3.2 - 1/27/22 // Removing association list for updates - wc
V4.0 - 2/4/22 // Spring YP addition -AK
V5.0 - 8/26/22 // Fall YP addition -AK

V6.0 - 2/7/23 // Added new Spring 23 Map Pool -AK

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