The Dissolution of the Overwatch League
Oh my goodness, what's happening here? Are you also sitting in front of the screen in disbelief, rubbing your eyes in disbelief? Yes, you read that right. Activision Blizzard has announced that the Overwatch League will be dissolved. But hey, don't panic! That doesn't mean we have to say goodbye to the thrilling competition in Overwatch esports forever.
After the conclusion of the 2023 season, there were a lot of discussions and ultimately a vote among the owners of the 20 official teams. With a two-thirds majority, it was decided to dissolve the Overwatch League. Subsequently, Activision Blizzard announced that they will be developing a new concept for competitive gaming. But why did the franchise owners decide against the Overwatch League?
A Look Back: What Went Wrong with the Overwatch League?
To understand that, we need to go back in time a bit. Around the finale of the Overwatch League in 2023, Activision Blizzard drastically downsized its esports division. This naturally caused quite a stir, and numerous fans, as well as franchise owners, were alarmed.
In October 2023, a plan for the future was presented, and - bam! - with an overwhelming majority of two-thirds, the team owners decided that they wanted to exit the Overwatch League. In addition to the personnel cuts, there was another major sticking point: finances.
The Financial Burden and a Scandal
According to a report by ESPN from 2017, each of the founding teams paid a whopping $20 million to Activision Blizzard. Later, expansion slots were sold for up to $35 million each. So, it was a huge financial commitment that made it difficult for team owners and financiers to see a return on their investments.
But that's not all. A scandal involving gender discrimination further damaged Activision Blizzard's reputation. A lawsuit was filed against the company by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, alleging that the company had engaged in abusive behavior, discrimination, and retaliation against its female employees. Activision Blizzard has denied these allegations.
And now? The Future of Overwatch Esports
Now you're probably wondering: What's next for Overwatch esports? Overwatch 2 is already on the horizon, and we're all eager to see what role it will play in the future of esports. Even though the Overwatch League will soon be history, according to Activision Blizzard, the concept of Overwatch esports is very much alive.
Industry insider Jacob Wolf reported in early November 2023 that Activision Blizzard is working on the next iteration of its Overwatch esports program in collaboration with ESL FACEIT. However, the company has not yet confirmed whether this is true.
In any case, we'll keep you updated on all the news surrounding Overwatch 2. So, chin up! The world of esports is far from over.
