Activision Blizzard’s Q2 monetary report launched this morning revealed that the Overwatch League’s days may be numbered. The corporate disclosed it could pay groups a $6 million termination charge after this season in the event that they now not want to be part of the league following a vote on upcoming amended phrases.
The announcement doesn’t essentially imply that the closely hyped-up league that began operations in 2017 will stop to exist, but it surely actually gained’t be every thing that the league’s high-profile traders initially thought it could be. {And professional} Overwatch gamers, each present and former, have already began to share nostalgic sentiments on social media.
Reinforce was an expert participant till transitioning to an analyst position for the league’s broadcasts through the OWL’s inaugural season. In a publish to social media, he made it clear that it doesn’t matter what comes of the Overwatch League, he might be across the sport’s aggressive scene till the bitter finish.
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“For seven years I’ve had the pleasure of telling tales in Overwatch,” he stated. “I really like this scene so passionately and I’ll proceed till it’s now not possible. I’ll be there it doesn’t matter what.”
Custa hung out with a few completely different OWL groups earlier than shifting to a place as broadcast expertise as effectively. And whereas he admits that the league’s authentic plan was flawed, he’s nonetheless crediting it for his progress over the previous 5 years.
“Say what you’ll about OWL, it gave me every thing I’ve right this moment and it’s created unimaginable moments for a lot of,” he stated. “The league mannequin was damaged from the start. Right here’s to hoping the items may be picked up into one thing that is sensible and is extra true to Overwatch esports.”
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One other broadcaster, Nekkra, reiterated a lot of what Reinforce and Custa needed to say, including that she additionally hopes to be part of no matter model {of professional} Overwatch exists within the coming years.
“That is extremely unhappy information,” she stated. “Making OWL was all the time an enormous dream for me, my first purpose after I entered esports. Hopeful that Overwatch esports will nonetheless exist in some capability even when the present ‘League’ format adjustments, and I hope to have the ability to be there.”
Groups can stay part of the OWL after this season by voting on an “up to date working settlement.” So it’s not a assure that the league will fold, however the league nearly assuredly gained’t look the identical.
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