Overwatch’s Competitive Play Released in New Update!

The opportunity has come for serious Overwatch players to dish out damage against each other in the new Competitive Play mode (released in an update on 28 June 2016). Competitive Play mode is available to players who have reached level 25 (which is fairly easy to attain). A level requirement was needed to give serious players space from newcomers to allow (somewhat more experienced) players a chance at the ranked game mode. This would prevent low experienced players from entering a map they may be far from familiar with. Level 25 was chosen because developers felt that it was a level within reach for new players but still far enough that the players would have some time under their belts before getting into the competitive arena.

Players begin with ten placement matches which determine their starting skill rating. The skill rating is from 1 to 100 and the higher the player’s number is then the greater the skill level. The skill rating can be viewed during each match under each player’s hero icon next to their level (the skill rating would take the place of the dash in the photo below).

The seasons follow real world seasons of the Northern Hemisphere (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring) and last two and a half months (initially intended to be one month per season) giving players plenty of time to increase their skill ratings and climb up the ranks.

Blizzard notes some changes to the game modes which allow players to view information at a glance:

Control Maps:

Competitive Plays scoring system has undergone a major overhaul. Control maps, for instance, are played in a best-of-five format, which differs from Quick Plays three-round system. During a Competitive Play match, the first team to score three points wins.

Escort and Hybrid Maps

On maps that contain Escort elements, teams are awarded one point any time a capture point is taken or a payload reaches a checkpoint. Both teams play one round on offense and one on defense. After those rounds have been completed, the team with the most points wins. However, if the game ends in a tie and neither team has delivered the payload to its final destination, the team that pushed the payload further will be the winner. On Kings Row, Numbani, or Hollywood, if neither team takes the first point, or the final score is tied, the match enters sudden death.

Beginning with the Fall 2016 season, Escort and Hybrid maps will also use the same time-based system as Assault maps (see below).

Assault Maps:

Assault matches are handled in a similar fashion, but with several mode-specific adjustments. Each team plays one round on offense. The team with the most points after these rounds wins. However, if the first team fails to capture a point, the match ends as soon as the second team captures the first objective.

If the score is tied after the first two rounds, each team plays a second round on offense. Instead of playing with a standard five-minute clock, teams only have the time that was remaining on the clock at the end of their previous offensive round. If a team has no time remaining, they do not play an additional round.

Also, if either team had fewer than two minutes left on the clock during their previous round, their time is increased to two minutesbut this is their final offensive opportunity. When either team runs out of time, the team with the higher score wins the match. If both teams are tied with no time remaining, the match enters sudden death.

Sudden Death:

In sudden death, the game randomly places one team on offense and the other on defense. Teams then play a single, abbreviated round. If the attackers capture the first objective before time runs out, they win the match. Otherwise, the defenders are awarded the victory.

Please note that this mechanic will only be active for the Summer 2016 season. For more information, go here:

The reward for completing at least the ten placement matches before the end of the season include a player icon, a spray, and a unique design set for every season. In addition, Competitive Points earned from winning matches can be used for golden weapon skins for heroes.

Let’s keep up the good sportsmanship (especially with more competitive players using their mics) and toxicity levels down.

See you all on the battlefield!