Team-based multiplayer first-person shooter Overwatch boasts one of the most active communities in the gaming world and, with events like Summer Games 2018, it’s no mystery why.
Ever since the title’s debut back in May 2016, Blizzard has kept the game fresh with constant updates and in-game events to keep returning players logging in for just one more match. The Summer Games, an annual event, is a bit of a break from the norm in the Overwatch world and is welcomed by fans of the game for its change of pace – and in-game rewards.
One of the bigger events touted by the devs is Summer Games and this year’s event looks set to kick off August 7 according to various Internet websites.
That gives you little over a week to prepare for the event, one of the largest in the Overwatch annual calendar. Naturally Blizzard will confirm the dates through its own media channels whenever that information is available for public release so stay tuned to your favorite Blizzard Twitter account.
One event that players are eagerly anticipating is the return of Lucioball. Last year the Summer Games had a ranked Copa Lucioball tournament but it is unknown if this year will have something similar. For those unfamiliar with it, Lucioball is basically a mix of volleyball and football with an emphasis on scoring goals. Of course, the game uses Overwatch’s mechanics which make it a unique minigame event.
And that’s not all of the excitement that has taken place in the Overwatch universe of late.
All of this comes on the back of the excitement following the launch of new tank character Hammond. Wielding quad cannons and an adaptive shield, Hammond looks set to shake up the somewhat calcified character roster and should provide some interesting moments in the upcoming months.
In a blog post describing the new character, Blizzard wrote: “His primary weapon, Quad Cannons, are two sets of twin machine guns that shred enemies caught in their crosshairs. No team is too much for Wrecking Ball to engage against with his Adaptive Shield, which generates more health based on the number of enemies nearby. This shield makes him incredibly difficult to kill when he bulldozes into the fray and, once he starts to get low on health, also provides him the endurance to escape.”
One problem Blizzard continually faces with the introduction of new characters to the Overwatch roster is the potential for that character to upset the in-game balance and anger the community in the process. Though this has become a smoother process as the game has aged it does seem like a lot to have going on at once for Blizzard.
