3 Most Important Things From Overwatch Developer Update

Overwatch's latest Developer Update features Jeff Kaplan, Overwatch's Game Designer, who discussed a new Deathmap map, Overwatch 2, and 2020 recap. The update was announced on Dec. 16 and is possibly the last one for this year.

3 Most Important Things From Overwatch Developer Update

Below are the three things you need to know from the Developer Update:

1. New Map Kanezaka: Cat Cafe and Tora no Sumika Nightclub!

New Map Kanezaka features a Cat Cafe and Tora no Sumika Nightclub! / Courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment

The main theme of the Developer Update revolves around the new Free-for-All map Kanezaka. Nestled beside Hanamura, this map invites players to fight for their life in a thrilling battlefield of alleyways, ancient stone, towering steel, and cat cafes. Pottery shop, Tora no Sumika nightclub, and a tower at the center of the city can also be found in this Japanese-themed map. Jeff Kaplan praised the attention to detail in the map with a lot of contextual storytelling, combined with some Easter eggs, and some payoff for the upcoming Overwatch 2. He also invites players to pay attention to every piece of graffiti on the map. As for the gameplay itself, he explained that each area of the map speaks to different hero types. The map is now available in the PTR server and is scheduled to be released in Jan. 2021.

2. 2020 Recap: The Hard Work Poured into Overwatch

Jeff Kaplan praised the hard work poured into Overwatch League / Courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment

Looking back at 2020, Jeff Kaplan listed down all the highlights as follows:

• Release of Echo, the evolutionary robot programmed with a rapidly adapting artificial intelligence.

• Updates of all recurring seasonal events

• Introductions of micro events such as Mardi Gras Ashe, Comic Book Tracer, and Maestro Sigma.

• Release of Overwatch music.

• Patch of the game, major and minor patches included, over 80 times.

• Multiple Experimental Card.

• Various Workshop updates.

• Major development of anti-cheat, profanity filter, and anti-behavioral issues.

• Persistent Overwatch League that was able to weather the pandemic and multiple Homestands cancellation.

3. Overwatch 2: What's Next

Overwatch 2: What's Next / Courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment

Jeff closed the Developer Update by noting that the team's major focus right now is Overwatch 2. Although he did not talk about the details in the Update, he teased about more exposure to Overwatch 2 in Feb. 2021 when BlizzCon Online is going to be held. The game seems to be far from its release as Jeff wants to make sure the players will have a great experience on both the live game and its upcoming sequel.