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Overwatch League

All articles tagged with #overwatch league

technology1 month ago•2 min saved

Kaplan on Blizzard Exit: Corporate Pressure Rewrote Overwatch’s Trajectory

Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan revealed on Lex Fridman’s podcast that he left Blizzard in 2021 due to corporate pressure, notably the Overwatch League’s profit-driven push and a CFO-mandated revenue target that threatened mass layoffs. He says the shift diverted creative work, even though he supported Overwatch 2 and had a plan for live updates; Kaplan is now developing The Legend of California at his new studio, while still praising Blizzard as a place for game development.

via 80 Level|

#blizzard #esports #jeff-kaplan

technology1 month ago•9 min saved

Ex-Overwatch Lead Claims He Was Told to Hit Revenue Targets or 1,000 Jobs Would Be Cut

Former Overwatch lead Jeff Kaplan says Blizzard CFO Dennis Durkin pressured hitting revenue targets, warning that 1,000 developers would lose their jobs; exact targets are redacted by confidentiality. Kaplan attributes the pressure to Overwatch League investments that strained resources, and he left Blizzard to work with indie studio Kintsugiyama on The Legend of California.

via Eurogamer.net|

#blizzard-entertainment #jeff-kaplan #layoffs

news1 month ago•15 min saved

Ex-Overwatch Director Reveals Profit-Driven Exit From Blizzard

Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan says Blizzard’s profit-first push, including an overhyped Overwatch League and CFO-driven revenue demands, pulled his team away from new content and toward esports monetization, contributing to his 2021 resignation. He describes the league as a “house of cards” that never delivered, and notes it folded in 2023, leaving him emotionally broken and urging developers to value themselves instead of handing the company’s ‘golden goose’ to people who don’t deserve it.

via Kotaku|

#activision-blizzard #blizzard #jeff-kaplan

gaming-industry2 years ago•2 min saved

"Microsoft's Massive Layoffs and Game Cancellations Shake Up Gaming Industry"

Microsoft has laid off most of the internal Activision Blizzard esports organization as part of the 1,900 job cutbacks announced last week. While the esports business is not going away, the company is evolving to better deliver for players and fans, with a continued commitment to competitive esports. This move will particularly affect the Call of Duty League and the Overwatch League, and comes after Blizzard Entertainment's deal with ESL-FaceIt to partner on the Overwatch 2 esports league.

via VentureBeat|

#activision-blizzard #esports #gaming-industry

esports2 years ago•2 min saved

The Demise of the Overwatch League: A Shift Away from Esports

Activision Blizzard has announced that it is moving away from the Overwatch League and will be taking its competitive Overwatch 2 scene in a new direction. The company will pay out $120 million to the 20 contracted teams, and outstanding franchise fees have reportedly been waived. Activision Blizzard is looking to run its next Overwatch 2 esports program with ESL FACEIT. The Overwatch League, which aimed to legitimize esports, faced challenges such as operating primarily out of the Blizzard Arena in Los Angeles and losing sponsors due to the ongoing sexual harassment and gender discrimination lawsuit against Activision Blizzard. However, the company remains committed to competitive Overwatch 2 despite ending the Overwatch League.

via Polygon|

#activision-blizzard #competitive-gaming #esports

esports2 years ago•1 min saved

"Overwatch League's Demise Confirmed as Activision Blizzard Shifts Direction"

Blizzard has confirmed that it is taking competitive Overwatch in a new direction, signaling the end of the ambitious Overwatch League. The future of OWL has been uncertain for some time, and the transition comes as Overwatch 2 struggles to maintain a dedicated fanbase. The league, which required significant investment from teams, will be replaced by a revitalized esports program, details of which will be shared in the near future.

via Push Square|

#blizzard #competitive-overwatch #esports

esports2 years ago•4 min saved

The Demise of the Overwatch League: Blizzard's Transition and Teams' Exit

OverActive Media, parent company of the Toronto Defiant, has confirmed its exit from the Overwatch League, signaling the end of the League after six seasons. Most teams have voted to terminate their agreements with the League, receiving termination fees. While the Overwatch League is ending, Blizzard has hinted at future plans for competitive Overwatch, with rumors suggesting a new League organized by ESL FACEIT. Other teams have expressed gratitude and hope for the future, indicating that this may not be a permanent goodbye.

via The Verge|

#activision-blizzard #competitive-overwatch #esports

gaming2 years ago•1 min saved

Overwatch League's Demise: Activision Blizzard's Official Exit

Activision Blizzard has announced that it is "transitioning" away from the Overwatch League and planning to take competitive Overwatch in a new direction. This decision comes after several teams exited the esports tournament. The company is reportedly in talks with the Saudi Arabian state-owned ESL FACEIT Group to run the 2024 Overwatch season. Activision Blizzard previously expressed doubts about the longevity of the Overwatch League in a SEC filing earlier this year. The total revenues from the Overwatch League comprised less than 1% of the publisher's consolidated revenue.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#activision-blizzard #competitive-gaming #esports

gaming2 years ago•1 min saved

Blizzard's Overwatch League Comes to an End, Paving the Way for a New Direction

Blizzard has officially announced the end of the Overwatch League after six years, stating that they are transitioning to a new direction in competitive Overwatch. The professional scene for Overwatch will continue, but it is unclear what form the "competitive ecosystem" will take. This announcement aligns with Blizzard's earlier financial report, which offered teams a $6 million payout if they refused to sign an updated operating agreement. Overwatch 2 has faced challenges this year, including negative reviews upon its Steam launch and the cancellation of its highly anticipated Hero Mode.

via GameSpot|

#blizzard #competitive-gaming #esports

gaming2 years ago•2 min saved

Blizzard's Overwatch League Faces Mass Exodus as New Direction Emerges

Blizzard has confirmed that it is transitioning from the Overwatch League, marking the end of the six-year-old esports competition. The league struggled with team departures and declining interest. While the end of the Overwatch League does not mean the end of competitive Overwatch, Blizzard's focus is now on evolving the game in a new direction. The league's revenue accounted for less than 1% of Activision Blizzard's net revenues. The Overwatch League had its moments but ultimately fell short of the company's expectations. The future of Blizzard and esports remains uncertain.

via IGN|

#activision-blizzard #competitive-gaming #esports

gaming2 years ago•2 min saved

The Impending Loss: Overwatch League Shutdown Threatens Microsoft's $120 Million

Microsoft, following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, may lose $120 million if the Overwatch League is dissolved. The league's 20 teams are currently voting on whether to end the league, with most expected to vote in favor of dissolution. If this happens, Activision Blizzard plans to compensate each team with $6 million, totaling $120 million. Each team had already paid $7.5 million in fees to participate in the league, along with additional operating costs. The Overwatch League has been struggling for some time, and Activision Blizzard is expected to collaborate with ESL FACEIT Group for the 2024 season of Overwatch esports.

via Windows Central|

#activision-blizzard #esports #gaming

esports2 years ago•2 min saved

The Uncertain Future of the Overwatch League and CDL

The Overwatch League (OWL) is facing an uncertain future as Blizzard lays off around 50 employees and team owners will decide whether to continue the league after the current season. If teams choose not to continue, a termination fee of $6 million per team will be payable. The OWL has already faced complications this season, including the dissolution of the Chengdu Hunters and teams relocating. Viewership has also declined. While Blizzard claims commitment to esports, affected employees feel unsupported, and it remains unclear what the company's support for OWL will entail. Additionally, player engagement and investment in Overwatch 2 are declining.

via Kotaku|

#blizzard #competitive-gaming #esports

gaming2 years ago•4 min saved

Overwatch League Faces Uncertain Future with Staff Layoffs and Potential Collapse

Activision Blizzard has laid off around 50 employees from its esports division, amidst potential changes to the Overwatch League (OWL). The company is considering ending the current city-based franchise format, and team owners will vote on an updated operating agreement. The layoffs came as a surprise to employees, who speculate that a skeleton crew may close out the OWL and World Series of Warzone seasons. The OWL has faced challenges, including a drop in viewership after moving from Twitch to YouTube, the departure of sponsors due to allegations of harassment and discrimination, and the absence of Overwatch 2 in China. Despite the potential overhaul, Activision Blizzard remains committed to a competitive ecosystem in 2024 and beyond.

via Engadget|

#activision-blizzard #esports #gaming

esports2 years ago•2 min saved

"Overwatch League's Uncertain Future: Teams Vote on Fate Amidst Layoffs and Financial Concerns"

Overwatch League teams will vote on the fate of the league at the end of the season, with Activision Blizzard offering a $6 million payout to teams that choose not to continue. Lay-offs within Activision Blizzard's esports department signal a challenging future for the company's esports plans. Despite this, Overwatch League commissioner Sean Miller states that the league remains committed to a competitive ecosystem in 2024 and beyond, building towards a revitalized global scene. The vote's outcome won't necessarily mean the end of Overwatch esports, but it presents an opportunity for teams to exit.

via IGN|

#activision-blizzard #esports #future

gaming2 years ago•6 min saved

Overwatch League's Uncertain Future: Layoffs and Votes Determine Fate

Activision Blizzard is laying off workers in its esports department while facing potential dramatic changes for the Overwatch League. The fate of the league after the current season will be decided by team owners through a vote on an updated operating agreement. Given the financial challenges and team developments in recent years, it is likely that the franchise owners will choose not to continue with the league. However, Overwatch League commissioner Sean Miller affirmed Blizzard's commitment to Overwatch esports, stating that they are building towards a revitalized global scene. Despite Miller's optimism, the recent layoffs in the esports department have raised concerns about the company's ability to support esports in the future.

via The Verge|

#activision-blizzard #esports #future-plans