Russian PTR Leak Implies Guilds Could Be Coming to Overwatch
By Jack O'Dwyer
One Overwatch fan has spotted a unique translation error that could imply that developers are looking to add a guild or clan system into the game.
This isn't a new feature for Overwatch fans. In fact, Blizzard previously discussed the possibility of a similar system at BlizzCon earlier this year—though they associated it more for Overwatch 2. However, thanks to a Public Test Realm (PTR) update launched on Thursday, Aug 12, some Russian players are wondering if the mechanic is coming sooner than they originally thought.
Here's what one user on the Competitive Overwatch subreddit board had to say.
Russian PTR Leak Implies Guilds Could Be Coming to Overwatch
User MorEdel posted a screenshot of the "Browse" tab in the Competitive menu of the game to the Competitive Overwatch subreddit on Friday, Aug. 13. MorEdel explained that the highlighted word at the top left of the screen now says "Guilds" rather than the standard "Browse." This struck them as peculiar.
"As a localization specialist myself I can say that it's a very odd mistake. You can't just translate 'browse' as 'guilds' unless the client provided you with some kind of context (and it's very specific in this case)." They wrote.
"I remember the clan system leaked during one of OW2 showcases," they continued, "but perhaps we'll get it before OW2 release?"
Others were not convinced. Another user, hurgaburga7, explained that it was possible the game had simply loaded the wrong text or that the translator in charge of handling that aspect placed the wrong file.
"I'm assuming the translator does both OW1 and OW2, and they might have made a copy paste error to put the 'Guilds' string into the Russian OW1 file." They explained.
Whatever the issue, Blizzard has yet to speak about or confirm the existence of the feature—as a test or otherwise. While it's certainly possible players could see a guild/clan system implemented into Overwatch, it's unlikely we'll receive confirmation until well into its development.