The Public Test Realm is a platform that Blizzard uses to test out upcoming content for their various titles. Generally speaking, whatever players see in those early patches usually makes it the main game client a week or two later with little to no change.
The next Overwatch PTR update is going to be somewhat different however. Blizzard are going to use it to test out a few weighty hero changes, some of which may not make it into the shooter. This is according to Principal Designer, Geoff Goodman, who said as much in a new forum post (via PC Gamer):
“I wanted to drop in and talk about our upcoming PTR patch that is due out very soon. We are going to try something a little different this time, so you might be surprised when you see the patch notes for it.
This time around, the PTR is likely to be around a bit longer than before, so we’re taking this opportunity to try out some more significant hero changes, and the push more significant iterations throughout this PTR cycle. The PTR patch changes you guys see are unlikely to make it through PTR unchanged, unlike previous PTR cycles.
We want to try a bunch of things and see what’s fun and working, and iterate more quickly from there. In this way, we get to have you guys involved earlier in the process.”
My first thought was that Blizzard would use this PTR to test out a Symmetra rework. Apparently that’s not happening though, at least not yet:
“There aren’t any Symmetra changes for this patch. Her changes ended up being much more significant and require more time to finish up, but she’s feeling pretty great internally so hopefully we can get her out there pretty soon.”
Well that’s disappointing. I am genuinely curious to see how Blizzard are going to change Symmetra to make her more relevant overall.
What I’m more curious about now however, are the other changes that Blizzard deem too big to outright patch into Overwatch. Which heroes are they looking to address with this future PTR? Are these chunky adjustments being tested out now in preparation for Sombra perhaps?
Last Updated: October 20, 2016
Admiral Chief
October 20, 2016 at 09:54
Tried getting back into OW this week, I really, really cannot handle the latency. 220ms frustrate me soooo much. The only time things are going well is if I use splash based damage heroes or support.
🙁
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
October 20, 2016 at 09:59
I’ve learned to get used to it. As much as I hate PVP in general this is just too damn good to put down.
Matthew Figueira
October 20, 2016 at 10:50
YOU DA MVP
Admiral Chief
October 20, 2016 at 11:04
A pity a certain hairy one never invites me
Matthew Figueira
October 21, 2016 at 11:04
I very seldom see you online, or play myself for that matter 😛 only been playing a lot more recently thanks to the Halloween event.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
October 20, 2016 at 11:04
I don’t get play of the game a lot, but when I do o/
Admiral Chief
October 20, 2016 at 11:04
I quite like it a lot, but yeah man, just not feeling it
Lord Chaos
October 20, 2016 at 10:05
Oddly enough I’ve only experienced latency over the last 2 weeks.
Before that I got some great plays as Hanzo.
Admiral Chief
October 20, 2016 at 11:03
Now that you mention it, yeah, never been so bad before
Lord Chaos
October 20, 2016 at 11:05
At least mine’s still below 200, but made a noticeable difference.
Admiral Chief
October 20, 2016 at 11:28
I wish, 220 all the way here
Galbedir
October 20, 2016 at 11:07
To me, Overwatch is probably the one fps I feel the latency is actually alright. I think i sit at around 187-220ms, and only sometimes do I even notice it, like with Roadhogs hook when I see kill cams of me running around corners. Then again, I have a friend who is in the top 250 in EU for Overwatch…and he plays with that same latency…so maybe we just ain’t that good? 😛
Admiral Chief
October 20, 2016 at 11:30
It just feels unnatural having that delay, yes, your friend is used to it, but it is not natural.
If person A and person B sees each other at the same time, and person A shoots first, person B should be dead.
Not person A dead because person A shot first, yet person B has better connection, shot later, and actually win.
Nee man, se moer
lol
Sageville
October 20, 2016 at 13:23
I never see this happen in game, the only time I notice lag is when looking at a replay.
Admiral Chief
October 20, 2016 at 14:15
Jip, that is when you realised we are screwed (should have said in the replay)
Matthew Holliday
October 20, 2016 at 11:41
Yeah, pretty much also only feel it when getting hooked, i suppose its really the only time youd visibly see the difference
Archdruid Kromas
October 20, 2016 at 10:10
I couldn’t handle the latency anymore so I gave up. Currently enjoying space around Kerbins first moon.