Blizzard’s Overwatch hits retail for PS4, Xbox One, and PCs in spring 2016

By Danny Cowan November 6, 2015

overwatch coming to pcs and consoles in 2016 owretail header — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Blizzard’s competitive first-person shooter Overwatch is coming to the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC platforms as part of an “Origins Edition” retail package launching in the spring of 2016, the publisher announced today.

Previously announced as a PC exclusive, Overwatch will now launch across multiple platforms as both a standalone game priced at $40 and in the bonus-bundled Origins Edition available for $60.

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The Origins Edition of Overwatch includes exclusive character skins and in-game items for Diablo III, StarCraft II, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm. Both editions will grant players access to the game’s full roster of 21 characters.

Overwatch is a team-based, competitive multiplayer shooter featuring a wide variety of playable heroes and villains. Each character boasts their own unique abilities and loadouts, giving players a multitude of options when taking on opponents in arena combat.

In Overwatch, competitors assemble squads of up to six teammates each, with individual players serving in offensive, defensive, tank, and support roles. The game boasts an array of multiplayer modes, including the capture-the-flag-inspired Payload and the king-of-the-hill-styled Point Control.

Blizzard announced in October that it will begin beta testing for Overwatch in the coming months. A closed beta is currently operating on PC platforms, while a planned series of Beta Test Weekends will gauge server load among a wider playerbase.

The company notes that beta testing invitations will be sent out on an “extremely limited” basis to select players, who will be expected to provide detailed feedback during the event. Beta Test Weekends will be open to larger groups of players, but will feature limited content compared to the closed beta sessions.

A final release date for Overwatch has not been revealed, but Polygon reports that a retail launch will arrive before June 21, 2016. More details regarding Overwatch‘s upcoming release will be announced at the ongoing BlizzCon event in Anaheim, California.

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Hulk shouts at an enemy in Marvel's Midnight Suns.

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