Overwatch is getting an official eSports league, Activision Blizzard big boss Bobby Kotick announced during an interview at Vanity Fair’s New Establishment Summit.
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As reported by GosuGamers,$1,000,000 in prize money has been won so far in unofficial Overwatch tournaments around the world, so it makes sense for Blizzard to offer something official.
There’s clearly an audience for it already, as the FPS has been making some big waves on Twitch too, as you can see on the recent Newzoo Twitch stats.
“What we’re doing is creating professional content. So we’re organising around teams and leagues,” Kotick explained at the summit, viaThe Street.
“You will have the Overwatch League which will have a certain number of teams. Those teams will be a combination of professional sports teams as owners and endemic sports teams as owners.”
Kotick said to expect big arena events with actual crowds of people spectating from the stands.
It’s strange for this to be announced at a Vanity Fair Summit, instead of like, you know, the imminent BlizzCon, or even a streamed event. It’s almost been announced with a whimper, unless Blizzard will be following up with more information during their convention.
While we don’t know much more about what Blizzard have planned for their Overwatch leagues, it’s exciting to know that something official, shiny and expensive is coming.
We’ve reached out to Blizzard for comment and will update if we hear back.