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Overwatch – not free and why that’s bad for Blizzard’s eSports aspirations

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By now I’m sure you’re up to date with everything that’s been going on at Blizzcon yesterday, like the Warcraft movie trailer and what not. As expected, the trailer was one of the main highlights of the event, however, the Overwatch segment was definitely very interesting as well, and for the best of reasons. Not only did we get to see a whole bunch of new upcoming content, but we also finally learned a bit more about the game’s business model. Judging by its MOBA inspired concept, one would have assumed that Overwatch will be a free to play game, much like League of Legends, Dota 2 or Blizzard’s own Heroes of the Storm. One would have assumed wrong, however, because we just learned yesterday this is in fact not a free to play title.

The company announced at Blizzcon that Overwatch will come in multiple variants, with the standard one clocking in at $40. There will also be two additional versions priced a tad higher, but packing a number of goodies, as it is usually the case. Interestingly enough, Blizzard seems to have designed Overwatch from the ground up as an eSport, an yet, most of the successful eSports are free to play with microtransactions, including the aforementioned League of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm. Right now the only successful eSport that you need to buy is CS:GO and the price of that is really low. A case could also be made for Starcraft II, but it’s no secret that the RTS has been on the decline for the past couple of years and I’d be very surprised if its eSports value were to grow even with the long-awaited launch of Legacy of the Void.

Everything points at the fact that people just don’t want to spend big bucks on a highly competitive game right off the bat, but they might actually spend much more on cosmetic items further down the line. Blizzard is taking a very strange approach here because it’s offering microtransactions while also asking for 40 bucks, which would be all fine and dandy if Overwatch wasn’t aspiring to be the next big thing in eSports. By asking $40, the company is essentially shooting itself in the leg and driving away customers who have a lot of other good and free options on the table to quench that competitive thirst. Moreover, the game does not feature a single player component so you won’t even be able to say “hey, I didn’t like the multiplayer, but at least the game had a nice campaign.”

What’s even stranger is that Blizzard is also asking $40 for Legacy of the Void and with that you get both an awesome campaign and (eventually) good multiplayer. Granted, LotV is an expansion so perhaps the comparison is not entirely fair, but still, $40 for a multiplayer only game that attempts to blend two genres and that may or may not live up to expectations is a bit much if you ask me. Until yesterday, I was fairly confident that Blizzard would be able to appeal to eSports fans with yet another release, but now I’m not so sure. We’ll just have to wait and see if this gamble pays off or if people take a look at Overwatch’s price tag and go back to LoL because it’s free.

Although George has many hobbies, he likes nothing more than to play around with cameras and other photography equipment.

Gaming

Documentary Explores the Making of the Highly Praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for PS5

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Square Enix has launched a captivating documentary series that explores the intricate process behind the creation of the highly praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In the first episode, titled “Shaping the World,” the developer delves into the process of reimagining the expansive PS1 map of the original game into a vast sandbox for the PS5. The film includes personal stories shared by directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura, as well as other important members of the team.

This reimagining of the all-time PlayStation classic was truly enjoyable. In our review, we praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for its ability to enhance the already impressive combat system of Remake. The game truly shines in its portrayal of an iconic RPG setting. If you have a deep appreciation for the original PS1 game and found enjoyment in Remake, then Rebirth’s character-focused adventure will surely captivate you from start to finish.

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Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 and PS4 shows continuous improvement

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While Sony may not classify Gran Turismo 7 as a live-service game, the team at Polyphony Digital certainly approaches it with a similar mindset. The game continues to impress with every new update, and although v1.44 may be smaller compared to previous versions, it still manages to enhance the already extensive content of this simulation racer.

The update, now available worldwide, introduces three new cars: the Audi R8 Coupé V10 Plus ’16, the Lamborghini Urus ’18, and the Toyota GT-One (TS020) ’99. Furthermore, it introduces three fresh events to World Circuits, an extra menu to conquer in the GT Café single-player campaign, and a collection of livery stickers inspired by the upcoming Highspeed Étoile anime, set to debut next week in Japan.

If you’re not already acquainted with Highspeed Étoile, you can watch a trailer right here. “Sony has announced that a collection of 26 stickers, consisting of 8 title logos and 18 main character stickers, will be made available for a limited time,” stated Sony on the PS Blog. In addition, Fukushima will be included as a backdrop in the title’s beloved photography mode.

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TopSpin 2K25 appears to be a standout title in the recent PS5 and PS4 gameplay showcase

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This author has consistently praised the realistic portrayal of tennis in TopSpin 4. After more than a decade, we are thrilled to witness the release of TopSpin 2K25, which expands upon the success of its renowned predecessor. This gameplay video provides a comprehensive overview of the features discussed in our recent preview while also incorporating relevant footage to enhance understanding.

The series’ swing system sets it apart from arcade-style games like Virtua Tennis, as it requires players to charge up their shots in a different way. In order to succeed, timing is crucial, and fortunately, a new meter above your player will assist you in achieving that. Surfaces have their own distinct characteristics, such as clay, where you’ll experience a noticeable amount of sliding.

The game ensures that every player has a distinct set of animations, adding a touch of individuality to each competitor. The courts, found in all Grand Slams, possess a remarkable amount of individuality and charm. It is mentioned in the video that with each in-game season, players can expect a plethora of additional content, such as animation packs. This indicates that there will be plenty to anticipate even after the game’s initial release.

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