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Learning by playing: Overwatch developer tips

Learning by playing

The near future. Omnic robots are rebelling against humans. The mission of the Overwatch International Special Forces is to restore peace and harmony on the planet...

It is this legend that underlies the famous game that we will talk about in this article.

And if your child is into video games and wants to develop them themselves, welcome to Progkids!

Some facts

Overwatch is a multiplayer team-based first-person shooter game developed and released by Blizzard Entertainment in 2016. It has gained popularity due to its dynamic gameplay, diverse characters, and unique style.

The roots of the project

The idea for Overwatch came after the cancellation of Blizzard's ambitious Titan project. The plan was to release a next-generation MMORPG game, but in 2014, the developers ran into difficulties and abandoned the idea. However, the team was still determined to create something new and unique. As a result, the creators came up with the idea of using the work of a failed project to create a completely different game.

Concept and development

The creation of Overwatch began with the idea of a team shooter in which each character has unique abilities and an individual fighting style. Inspired by the success of games like Team Fortress 2, the Blizzard team decided to focus on developing a variety of strategic opportunities.

The meaning of the game

Two teams of six gamers fight each other. Before the fight, each player chooses a hero who differs from others in different characteristics. The characters complement each other perfectly, and the task of gamers is to play smoothly and maintain team spirit.

Testing the game before it's released

The game was officially announced at BlizzCon in November 2014. The information aroused great interest among the gaming community due to the poster's vivid artistic style and the promise of innovative gameplay.

In 2015, a closed beta began, which allowed developers to receive valuable feedback from players and make necessary changes before release.

Success and recognition

Overwatch has won numerous awards and received critical acclaim for its captivating gameplay, beautiful visuals, and elaborate characters. According to journalist Chris Carter of Destructoid, “the game is polished to a brilliance, like a Pixar cartoon.”

What happened next

Blizzard actively supported the game after release, adding new heroes, maps, and game modes. Overwatch became the basis for the development of the esports scene with the creation of the Overwatch League, a professional league featuring teams from around the world.

Some more interesting facts about the game

  1. Cosplayers are very fond of Overwatch characters. Especially often they choose Tracer, Angel and the Doom Widow to reincarnate.
  2. Even before its official release, the traveler Tracer unconditionally became the face of the game.
  3. Some characters are older than the game itself. For example, Soldier 76 was “born” back in the 90s, when Blizzard employee Chris Metzen came up with it for a comic book. He later graciously allowed the hero to be used in the game.

Developer tips: What Overwatch can teach

If you and your child enjoyed this game and would like to create something similar, consider the following guidelines.

#1. Variety of characters

Overwatch features a wide range of characters with unique abilities. This allows each player to find a hero to their liking, and also adds an element of strategy to team battles.

#2. Gameplay balancing

Always work to balance the game to ensure fair and fun matches for everyone involved. Please update the game regularly based on feedback from gamers.

#3. Bright art style

Pay attention to creating a visually appealing design that will make your game stand out from others. Overwatch uses bright colors and stylized graphics, making the game quite recognizable.

#4. Community support

Engage actively with the community of players, listening to their feedback and suggestions.

#5. Constant content updates

Add new content regularly (heroes, maps, game modes, and other goodies) to keep experienced players interested and attract new users.

#6. Esports scene

If the game is suitable for esports, support the competitive scene by creating tournaments and leagues for players.

#7. Creating a story

Create a story about the gaming world to deepen user engagement in your project. For example, Overwatch offers interesting backstories for every hero.

#8. Intuitive interface

Provide a user-friendly and intuitive interface for gamers of all skill levels.

#9. Testing

Conduct extensive testing at all stages of development to identify bugs and issues before the game is released. Involve friends and acquaintances in this process.

#10. Cross-platform

Consider releasing the game on multiple platforms for more publicity.

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