Overwatch is a great example on how to create an online shooter that in many ways is the very antithesis of the market it’s trying to invade. Overwatch lives and breathes teamwork, and does so by making everyone on the team feel important at any given time. There’s still a fair amount of coordination associated with that, which makes grouping up with friends more of a recommendation than not. But what happens when those friends are just on another console to you?
Well now it means you’re left to the mercy of the solo queue (shudder), but it might not be the case for long. Blizzard have made a slight hint at the possibility of cross-network play between PS4 and Xbox One users over Twitter, stating that it is currently being investigated by their developers. It’s not a confirmation that it will come (and we should expect it), but it is an acknowledgement that they’re probably thinking about it quite seriously.
@bickiya There is no cross platform play. We’ll keep an eye on cross-platform possibilities on the consoles.
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) 4 June 2016
As for cross-play between console and PC, that’s never going to happen. And for the exact reasons you expect. PC with its mouse and keyboard control just presents a disadvantage to console users, and it’s something Blizzard isn’t going to try and balance.
@bickiya We have no plans for that. Mixing mouse/keyboard and controller can have balance and competitive issues.
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) 4 June 2016
Rocket League is a great example of a modern game that is now letting anyone play with everyone regardless of platform. Right now PC players can take part in matches with either console, while Sony is still deciding whether to allow play between PS4 and Xbox One. Should Blizzard commit to it, they would be in the same wish granting position they are in now, although with an arguably much bigger game to consider.
Right now though, it’s still a pipe dream. But thankfully Overwatch is still a hell of a lot of fun regardless.
Last Updated: June 6, 2016
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 08:38
Could be interesting for the console guys to play against each other, not sure about console vs pc though… that said I’ve seen some console people that are frikken crazy good.
Admiral Chief Protector
June 6, 2016 at 09:12
console “frikken crazy good = average pc gamer
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 09:17
lol… if you say so.
Kromas GG
June 6, 2016 at 09:20
Actually it was proven a few years back. Ms tested cross platform play with CoD. They canceled it one week into testing cause no matter how amazing a controller was it was below average to a mouse and keyboard.
Admiral Chief Protector
June 6, 2016 at 09:22
Science
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 09:24
Yeah, true, but watching some of the console game play is still amazing considering how well they do with a controller.
Kromas GG
June 6, 2016 at 09:31
Yet the really great plays like this one is with pc.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 6, 2016 at 08:59
Normally I despise PVP games, but they’ve turned the genre on it’s head and I’m loving it
Admiral Chief Protector
June 6, 2016 at 09:11
SO, you getting it?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 6, 2016 at 09:29
Got it last week Tuesday
GooseZA
June 6, 2016 at 09:33
Good man!
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 6, 2016 at 09:38
Still trying to find a favourite, everyone is so different from each other
Ir0nseraph
June 6, 2016 at 09:43
This is one game , where there can only be one, does not ring true.
Kromas GG
June 6, 2016 at 09:52
I was and am for the most part a Dva fan. But these days I go with what the situation requires. Hell I even gave Winston a try and discovered he can cover on attack in a pinch. My advice is have a few faveroutes and try them all.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 6, 2016 at 09:54
I have a few in every class, but I want to master them all
GooseZA
June 6, 2016 at 10:07
I mostly play Mercy, although last night I played a few rounds as Reinhardt, Bastion and Pharah
Kromas GG
June 6, 2016 at 10:09
Okay rephrase. Play everything except Bastion. He is a cheap bastardized character who requires absolutely no skill to use because half your team have no idea how to counter him.
Edit: Rephrase again. No he is not OP he just seems that way cause noobs.
GooseZA
June 6, 2016 at 10:25
Haha! Yeah it was my first time playing him (also hate the bugger). He is crazy strong.
Darren Peach
June 7, 2016 at 08:18
What happened ? Just the other day you mentioned you were not keen on MP only games, Is it worth it ? Overwatch.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 7, 2016 at 08:40
It’s really fun, gone are the scoreboards where you see yourself languishing in last place, gone are the camper based shooting mechanics, gone are payload drops for getting killstreaks punishing those that are having a bad time participating even further. Instead Overwatch gives you 21 unique and colourful characters with the focus of self preservation taking a back seat to completing objectives.
Darren Peach
June 7, 2016 at 08:48
Ok. There is a special place in hell for campers. I want to try it but my wallet can’t handle it for now.
Kromas GG
June 6, 2016 at 09:17
Yes please let the console peasants play with the master race. Sometimes I just need to cheese my way through a game.
#Turretandwatchamovie
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 6, 2016 at 09:31
LOL that one level in the snow with the moving platforms.
1. Pick Torbjörn
2. Place Turret
3. Profit
Kromas GG
June 6, 2016 at 09:32
Volskya Industries.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 6, 2016 at 09:32
Yes, not familiar with the names yet
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 09:45
Torbjorn, Bastion, Mei, Reinhardt, Winston, and a Mercy when defending (For the first section)
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 6, 2016 at 09:46
Lucio or Symmetra for me XD
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 09:49
Lucio is so much fun. It’s also Ottokie’s favorite character.
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 09:50
Mercy is good for that point because of the rez ability
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
June 6, 2016 at 09:53
I stuck to Reinhardt delivering a payload. He tried to kill a Bastion and died, too bad the Bastion did not expect me to revive Reinhardt
Tarisma
June 6, 2016 at 09:46
Missing a sniper there
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 09:48
Holding that first point doesn’t REALLY need one.
Tarisma
June 6, 2016 at 10:05
It’s all team dependent, a scope is excellent when they have a Pharra jumping round the side of the map and flanking your team (which is the vast majority of games) also for picking off their mercy and lucio.
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 10:25
True true.
Also why I like playing Lucio… I’m normally the last to get sniped 😛
HairyEwok
June 6, 2016 at 09:18
Awwww come on. Let the console guys play against the PC folks, somebody needs to teach them a lesson in humility.
Kromas GG
June 6, 2016 at 09:19
Played a few games this weekened with Ottokie and Vamps. Was loads of fun.
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 09:21
Yeah it was!
Kromas GG
June 6, 2016 at 09:22
If I was not so sick I may have stayed for a few more games but I can barely hold concentration for an hours worth of play.
VampyreSquirrel
June 6, 2016 at 09:23
It’s all good man, will get more games in soon.