Teams also have no access to OW2 beta, which is the official game for OWL 2022.
Overwatch League teams are reportedly unaware of Activision Blizzard’s intention to outsource operations to a third party. The teams are also reportedly yet to receive access to the OW2 beta, which is the game version for OWL 2022. The Overwatch League 2022 is set to kick off in April this year.
OWL Partners unaware
Microsoft-owned Activision Blizzard will outsource the operations of OWL to a third-party tournament organizer according to a recent report. This report follows a decision by Activision Blizzard to outsource CDL operations to Esports Engine. A Dexerto report suggests that the Overwatch League teams have no knowledge of such a move happening and if it will go ahead at all.
Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard in a near $68 billion deal that saw the XBOX developer gain access to a wide range of game titles. Overwatch League, Call of Duty, Hearthstone are just a few of the titles under Microsoft, should the deal go through.
It will be interesting to see how OWL and Esports landscape changes with the new ownership. The Overwatch League has seen a massive reduction in viewership numbers compared to its inaugural year. But plans to outsource operations to a third party and the release of Overwatch 2 could breathe new life into the once-popular game.
OWL teams have no access to OW2
In September last year, former OWL head, Jon Spector had confirmed that Overwatch League will start in April 2022. The new season will also feature an early build of OW2. However, there is no release date announced just yet for OW2. It turns out the OWL teams have also not received access to the new OW2 build despite it being the game OWL 2022 will take place on.
The teams have been using a custom training program to prepare for Overwatch 2. This is sort of similar to the custom training program developed by the Paris Eternal for scrims and practice during the offseason.
Recently, the popular Overwatch caster duo of Brennon “Bren” Hook and Josh “Sideshow” Wilkinson announced they are not returning to the Overwatch League. The duo has been a part of the Overwatch League since its inception in 2018. They started off as desk analysts before finally appearing on the 2020 OWL season as casters.
Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest Overwatch news and updates.