590°

The Switch Just Can’t Handle Overwatch

With today’s launch of Overwatch on Nintendo Switch, there is officially a worst way to play one of the best games of all time.

SegaGamer1652d ago

"one of the best games of all time"

A bit off topic, but what a load of rubbish. No game infested with loot boxes and microtransactions will EVER be one of the best games of all time. I have played hundreds of games better than Overwatch.

AspiringProGenji1652d ago (Edited 1652d ago )

It is a good game, but better than most? What is this “most” exactly?

The game is in a bad state and has been for the last 2 years with balance issues. I love the RoleQ but the game still suffers From balancing. The game was at its best prior Season 4. Maybe then it was better than most games... But after S5 is when the game started to go downhill and became really toxic. I don’t even play it as much anymore.

King_Noctis1652d ago

Better than most multiplayer games would be a better choice of word.

1651d ago
antz11041651d ago

Paladins is so much better then Overwatch. Free and more characters by far.

RizBiz1651d ago

It's really pretty awful.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1651d ago
jib1652d ago

I mean it is subjective but I have to ask.. why would added cosmetic loot boxes prevent any game from being the best? Imagine your favorite game now. Add extra content to it you can either unlock by playing more of it or paying for loot boxes. I've never bought this stuff nor do I want this in the game either but why does that "extra" part make it less of a great game? It's extra. You don't need to bother with it

Livingthedream1652d ago

Yup don't get it, the gameplay is what makes the game so yeah.

King_Noctis1652d ago

Loot boxes should never be added to any games period, let alone a $60 premium game. If they want to do that, then make their game a F2P game.

The looxbox and MT mechanics are bound to gameplay and it affects the gameplay more than you would expect.

jib1652d ago (Edited 1652d ago )

@king that still doesn't really explain much for me. "They shouldn't do it just cause" was basically what I got from your statement. So don't make extra cosmetic content because it somehow bothers some people and that should override others preference to want it?

How can cosmetic lootboxes affect gameplay? I don't think I've ever seen one comment about overwatch skins having gameplay be affected

Someone has yet to explain to me why this is an "absolute" rule & why it automatically makes a game bad regardless of said content. Again, I get the evil that can possibly come with lootboxes. I ask what I ask because everyone is making it ABSOLUTE across every game ever made that it's ALWAYS bad

King_Noctis1651d ago (Edited 1651d ago )

“ How can cosmetic lootboxes affect gameplay?“

It affects gameplay in a sense that those cosmetic items should have been unlockable through playing the game to begin with. What is the reward for playing your game when you lock everything behind paywall, after the customer had already paid $60 for your game? Also, with lootbox presents, most of the time the coin/cash you earn from playing the game to unlock the lootbox for free tend to be low as evidenced by games like Battlefront 2, where you needed to grind over and over just to unlock a single costume. These kind of grinding would usually lead some people to purchase those lootboxes outright with real money. And even so, there’s still not guarantee as to what items you will get, as they are randomized hence the term lootbox.

Also, I’m not even talking about how lootboxes could affect kids and people with gambling problems as documented several times before.

jib1651d ago

"It affects gameplay in a sense that those cosmetic items should have been unlockable through playing the game to begin with"

What? They are unlockable... by playing the game(this case, overwatch)

Also, I never disagreed with bad lootbox practices. I never bought BF2 for that reason. I really am just wondering why I keep seeing absolute proposals about having NONE of it. I bought overwatch years ago and if it weren't for lootboxes, there probably wouldn't be any new skins, characters, and events still coming out

King_Noctis1651d ago (Edited 1651d ago )

I get what you’re saying. Lootbox is needed to keep the game going. However, let’s look at games like Minecraft. Minecraft got released In 2009 and features zero lootbox, yet still continuously getting updates even in 2019 with no sign of stopping.

There are ways to make money without resorting to lootboxes. They can use DLC for example, pay once to unlock a costume You want without randomize anything to hell and back. They can introduce expansion packs, which give players more value for their money. Hell, they can even add an optional subscription model, in which the player could get special costumes or other small but no gameplay-breaking benefits.

But still, lootbox is a faster way to nickle and dime customer right?

xTonyMontana1651d ago (Edited 1651d ago )

For the record, I agree for the most part, I love Overwatch and along with Siege, is the only multiplayer FPS game that I've consistently gone back to in recent years because the gameplay is just that damn good. However that "extra" part isn't an extra part is it? it's been a part of the game ever since release. It's definitely making the best out of a bad thing but they could have easily added skins as accomplishment driven, earned through accomplishing objectives with that specific character. That's how they would have been before MTs became a thing. But no, they went the RNG lootbox direction. I'm not complaining though as I can honestly say I haven't felt compelled to spend a penny and we get free maps and characters added.

Teflon021651d ago (Edited 1651d ago )

King
Why not. Overwatch is a online game. You get random unlocks while playing and get credits in game to buy whatever you want to. It really isn't serious at all in it. You just play and you're good. It's one thing when it's everything as cosmetics. But 1 Overwatch isn't full price anymore and has added alot of content for free and you didn't have to pay a cent. Also can grab easily. All the paid content in the game went towards the league, breast cancer etc. This game is one of the few that was fine. It was when others abused it, it became a issue.

Hold on, did you say they should have mtx for the costumes instead lol? Do you know how costumes work in Overwatch. You get credits and unlocks in loot boxes. Just get enough credits and buy the costumes you want lol. This way is better than it all being mtx. Wtf

Teflon021651d ago

Tony, that sounds logical until you realize that makes people throw games and boost. This way you have no reason to be sidetracked while playing. So you don't screw over your team.

frostypants1651d ago

@job because we live in an age of self entitlement and gaming in particular is rife with people who can't stand the thought of anyone else having something they don't, even if it's purely cosmetic. They lack the rationality to see how unreasonable their logic is.

jib1651d ago

@king, I paid $0.00 so far for all the extra content they've pumped out since release. Why would anyone rather pay more and do DLC/subscriptions? I don't understand your logic

@frosty, Yep. That's the vibe I get sometimes. Either that or people sticking to popular ideas(lootbox=bad in this case) and applying it across the universe as if there is zero positives or gray area for it

@tony, Random lootbox that's remedied by with the credits you get out of them which in turn can be used to unlock anything you want in the game. You can choose what you want to unlock as you go. I prefer it this way over your suggestion as I don't want to grind characters I don't use as often for their legendary skins. For the extra part, it is extra. To quote you: "and we get free maps and characters >added<". This game was released in 2016. It's 2019 and we got a 2 new characters, 2 new maps, events still being held with new skins this year

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 1651d ago
Poopmist1652d ago

Even without MT's it's pretty bad imo

kneon1651d ago

Lootboxes and microtransactions that are purely cosmetic. I paid $10 for Overwatch and never spent another dime.

Epicor1651d ago

This kind of statement is purely subjective and as correct/incorrect as calling any other game the best. Clearly the author thinks it is one of the best games of all time. You can freely disagree. Personally I have probably invested more hours to Overwatch than to any other game. So from "entertainment value for money" point of view it certainly is the best game for me. Then again on the other hand I normally consider the games that had a huge emotional impact to me the best ones...such as Last of Us, Final Fantasy IX, etc.

But one thing is clear: Having micro-transactions doesn't automatically mean that a game cannot be one of the best ones out there. Sure we can all agree that micro-transactions in general is a cancer of this industry. But honestly the system in Overwatch isn't even THAT horrible than in some of the other games. You earn lootboxes by playing anyways. I cannot comprehend why anyone would even think of spending money in those things. Those are just cosmetics (that you get anyways eventually).

Teflon021651d ago

Normally I'd agree, but Overwatch is one of the few games I'd pass for loot boxes as it's really no big deal in it. They realistically affect nothing gameplay wise. The mtx parts kinda a stretch. They do have the tokens you buy with real money, but those are just items to support the league realistically. Perfectly ignorable outside the allstar costumes once a year.
I like Overwatch but the best naw. One of my fav Mtitles when I got a half way decent team lol. But that's it really.

Jrios3551651d ago

I agree that Overwatch isn't one of the best games of all time, but to its defense, it isn't infested with microtransactions like you say it is, unlike EA and Ubisoft games (Ghost Recon: Breakpoint being the most recent example). OW's only microtransactions are its lootboxes, and they're strictly cosmetic. It's not like they're selling you directly purchasable items. It may have impact on progression, but it has zero impact on gameplay.

deafdani1651d ago (Edited 1651d ago )

I'll preface my comment stating that despite owning Overwatch, I really don't care much for it, personally.

But to the point... GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 are considered some of the best games ever made. They are also infested with microtransactions.

Microtransactions don't determine whether a game is good or bad (ok, sometimes they do, if the microtransactions are abusive and lock off game modes and game mechanics behind a paywall or bullshit like that). Gameplay does.

As far as gameplay goes, Overwatch is widely considered to be an incredibly polished product on its genre. It got wide critical acclaim at release more than 3 years ago, it got multiple GOTY awards, and it's evolved big time since release, becoming a much bigger and better game since it released, so... why is it a stretch that many people consider it one of the best games ever?

It being one of the best games made doesn't take away the fact that other kind of games are also among the best within their own genres: Uncharted 2, TLOU, Mario Galaxy, Zelda BOTW, the Forza games, Bioshock, Mass Effect, etc. There's literally hundreds of thousands of games made through the entirety of gaming's history, to the point that we can make a list of the best 100 games ever made and there would be plenty of arguments to include Overwatch somewhere in said list.

cybertronmessiah1651d ago

I mean, considering any and everything that you get from loot boxes are completely cosmetic...your argument has no real point, does it?

CDbiggen1651d ago

Standards have fallen across all gaming.

gamer78041651d ago

honestly I prefer paladins characters and gameplay much better than overwatch, not to mention its free, but even if it weren't. Just play that on switch instead.

+ Show (10) more repliesLast reply 1651d ago
lptmg1652d ago

Overwatch being one of the best games of all time? That's hella debatable if you ask me

Gamehard1652d ago

Sure, it's lost a ton of it's popularity now, but let's not forget how huge overwatch was when it launched. Everyone loved it, and it did win game of the year after all.

1652d ago
1651d ago
spicelicka1652d ago

Halo 4 on an Xbox 360 looks better than Overwatch, it's not the most graphics intensive game. How can the Switch not handle it?

King_Noctis1652d ago

Blizzard might have cheap out on this port.

spicelicka1651d ago

Seems so, if the Witcher can be ported Overwatch certainly can be ported.

Sgt_Slaughter1651d ago

The Switch 100% can handle it, it's up to the devs to make it happen. Countless developers don't put enough effort into Switch games/ports and it shows bigtime.

ShadowWolf7121651d ago (Edited 1651d ago )

Yeah, all they have to do is let the game dip into sub-SD resolutions at times and it's gravy.

lol There ARE limitations to what the Switch can handle, hence why the big games have to make big compromises to run.

Teflon021651d ago

It's a 60fps fast pace shooter with alot more going on at a average. That's all really. It's the situations in game that creates issues not the game itself.

Gatsu1652d ago

One of the best games? Lmao

Notellin1652d ago

Yeah Cecilia loves Overwatch. I don't enjoy any of her Overwatch articles because she is so blinded by this game. I dont know if Overwatch would crack my top 100 games.

CaptainObvious8781651d ago

ohhh now I get it...

Cecilia is from Kotaku, and we all know how toxic and sexist they are their.

Overwatch has been pandering to sjws from the begginging, so of course this is the best game ever according to her.

Just more confirmation that kotaku is trash and shouldn't be taken seriously at all.

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70°

10 Overwatch Heroes You Would Want To Hang Out With

The world could always use a few more heroes, or in this case friends. Here are some Overwatch Heroes you would want to hang out with.

Read Full Story >>
thegamehaus.com
100°

I Miss the Original Overwatch

Blizzard's blending of the FPS and MOBA was a masterpiece of design that met its end too soon.

Tedakin333d ago

I miss 6v6, lootboxes and an actual player level. I used to look forward to Junkenstein's Revenge at Halloween and the Christmas event cause of all the cool cosmetics you could earn. I'd play it every day. Now you play it for an hour, earn some stupid charm, and you're done. No reason to play anymore.

ActualWhiteMan333d ago

RIP OW2 is trash. My friends stopped playing it like we used to the first one every Friday night.

smoothdude333d ago

this. loved overwatch 1. 2 is no fun. there is lots to play… find something you like.

Gardenia332d ago

I'd never thought I would say this but the loot boxes in Overwatch wasn't so bad compared to what it is now.

GoodGuy09333d ago

I remember those epic dreamworks-like CGIs. I wasn't a fan at all but man, I knew it was a rediculously huge game. OW2 I've seen...nothing, died maybe after a week.

moomoo319332d ago

OW2 is a disaster. All these years to make the game 5v5….? And they scrapped PvE? The game just sucks man zero fun.

63d ago
190°

Activision Shows Concerns Over The Call Of Duty And Overwatch League's Longevity

Activision has admitted that its Call of Duty and Overwatch eSport Leagues are facing challenges that the company might fail to address.

just_looken352d ago

Ha ha these have been in trouble fort awhile so now we talk about it/address it?

How about you explain why you make billions but always have layoff's.

S2Killinit352d ago

Activision:
Woe is me

These guys come off so disingenuous.

ModsDoBetter352d ago

The timing is strange but COD has been on a nosedive for several years & then followed by the backlash of Overwatch 2.

sadraiden351d ago

COD has literally never been more popular. Every single year it sells more and more copies than the previous year. Don't know what you mean by nosedive.

ModsDoBetter351d ago (Edited 351d ago )

@sadraiden

It has taken a nosedive in quality.
However, as you based your argument on sales numbers, let's take a dive, shall we?

"COD has literally never been more popular"
COD has literally been more popular.

See: MW2 sales numbers estimate to be at 8million copies sold at the end of 2022 (no official numbers released) yet Black Ops (2010) sits at a staggering 31million copies sold.

"Every single year it sells more and more copies than the previous year"
Again, not true.

(In release order)
Black Ops - 31 million copies
Modern Warfare 3 - 30 million copies
Black Ops 2 - 29 million copies
Ghosts - 28 million copies
Advanced Warfare - 21 million copies
Black Ops 3 - 26 million copies
Infinite Warfare - 13 million copies
WWII - 19 million copies
Black Ops 4 - 14 million copies
MW2019 - 30 million copies
Cold War - 30 million copies
Vanguard - Unreleased sales numbers
MW2022 - No solid numbers yet, though as above - 8 million estimated as of end of 2022

As you can see "every single year it sells more and more copies than the previous year" is an inaccurate statement with the sales numbers fluctuating, though I do feel MW2022 would sell well over the course of the year.

luckytrouble352d ago

This timing isn't that weird. eSports are notorious money sinks, and organizations have been failing one after another the past few months as funds dry up and popularity wavers. Critical who is one of the runners of his own eSports organization has been extremely candid about the fact that there's really no money to be made, and a lot of suits that had their companies throw money at the concept are just starting to give up and move on.

Profchaos352d ago

Just to coincide with the CMA appeal woe is us

smolinsk352d ago

Wow and they have totally done it to them Self with zero innovation.

shinoff2183352d ago

Exactly. Biggest game in gaming and they crying. Stfu acti

ModsDoBetter352d ago

They really dropped the ball with COD ever since WW2 I’d say.

Year after year it’s just disappointment after disappointment and it only got worse with Warzone and MW2019 - seasonal progression, battle pass, goofy skins, not listening to player feedback, you name it.

merlox352d ago

Call of duty was only good when they were WWII. Activision should go back to how they started. Also, they can make the single player stories longer. Not everyone plays the multiplayer.

porkChop352d ago

A lot of people here couldn't even read the headline. This isn't about the games themselves, it's about the esports leagues.

shinoff2183352d ago

Put the money into it. You have the biggest game in gaming.

porkChop352d ago

Agreed. They can obviously afford it.

ChasterMies351d ago

If people don’t like playing the games as much, then why would they want to watch other people play it?

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