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Difference between revisions of "Overwatch"

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{{State|state=unplayable}}
 +
{{Infobox game
 +
|cover        = Overwatch cover.jpg
 +
|developers  =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Blizzard Entertainment}}
 +
|publishers  =
 +
|engines      =
 +
|release dates=
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|May 24, 2016}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|overwatch|91}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|OpenCritic|1673/overwatch|91}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|overwatch|89}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | Cosmetic, Currency, Finite spend, Loot box, Time-limited, Free-to-grind}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | First-person }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Action, Shooter }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Sci-fi }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Overwatch }}
 +
|steam appid  =
 +
|gogcom id    =
 +
|official site= https://playoverwatch.com/
 +
|strategywiki = Overwatch
 +
|lutris      = overwatch
 +
|mobygames    = 79170
 +
|wikipedia    = Overwatch (video game)
 +
|winehq      = 17145
 +
|license      = commercial
 +
}}
  
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 +
|release history  = The game is no longer playable as of October 3, 2022 as it was replaced by the free-to-play sequel [[Overwatch 2]] on October 4, 2022.
 +
 +
|current state    =
 +
}}
 +
 +
'''General information'''
 +
{{mm}} [https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/ Official forums]
 +
{{mm}} [https://us.battle.net/support/en/games/overwatch Official support sub-section]
 +
{{mm}} [http://overwatch.gamepedia.com/Overwatch_Wiki Overwatch wiki]
 +
 +
==Availability==
 +
{{Availability|
 +
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Battle.net, online | Origins Edition, Collector's Edition, Game of the Year Edition and Legendary Edition | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B07D9MJ7HB | Battle.net, online | Legendary Edition | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Battle.net | overwatch | Battle.net, online | Standard Edition and Legendary Edition | | Windows | unavailable }}
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} All versions require {{DRM|Battle.net|offline=no}}.
 +
 +
==Monetization==
 +
{{Monetization
 +
|one-time game purchase = Upfront purchase is required.
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Microtransactions===
 +
{{Microtransactions
 +
|cosmetic            = The game has thousands of cosmetic items, ranging from sprays to skins, purchasable with the in-game premium currency.
 +
|currency            = The game has an in-game premium currency called coins. It cannot be directly earned in game nor purchased directly at a fixed real money to in-game currency rate. You may receive it by opening both free (given at each account level) and paid (via real money transactions) lootboxes either as the direct reward from the lootbox or if one of the items you receive is a duplicate.
 +
|finite spend        = The total spend is limited by the fact that you could in theory own all the cosmetic items. However, there are many thousand of low-value filler items, and you cannot directly purchase certain skins and items and must instead rely on the randomness of lootboxes, making the spend ceiling extremely high.
 +
|free-to-grind      = You could, in theory, obtain all the items by grinding the game. It may take you until the [[w:heat death of the universe|heat death of the universe]], but it is possible.
 +
|loot box            = {{PAGENAME}} was the first AAA western PC game with a sticker price to offer lootboxes, thus starting the whole trend.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/what-developers-think-about-loot-boxes|title="It's Awkward Right Now:" What Some in the Games Industry Think of the Rise of the Loot Box in 2017|date=2022-04-19}}</ref>
 +
|time-limited        = Some cosmetics are seasonal and only available for a limited time.
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Version differences===
 +
====Overwatch: Origins Edition====
 +
This version includes the base game, along with the following extra content:
 +
 +
* Exclusive hero skins for Overwatch
 +
* [https://diablo.fandom.com/wiki/Mercy_Wings Mercy's Wings] for [[Diablo III]]
 +
* Overwatch card back for [[Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft]]
 +
* Tracer hero for [[Heroes of the Storm]]
 +
* In-game avatar portraits for [[StarCraft II]]
 +
* Baby Winston pet for [[World of Warcraft]]
 +
 +
====Overwatch: Game of the Year Edition====
 +
This version includes all of the content found in the Origins Edition, along with:
 +
 +
* 10 in-game lootboxes
 +
 +
====Overwatch: Legendary Edition====
 +
This version includes all of the content found in the Origins Edition, along with:
 +
 +
* 10 character skins
 +
 +
====Overwatch: Collector's Edition====
 +
This version includes all of the content found in the Origins Edition, but not the Game of the Year Edition and the Legendary Edition, along with:
 +
 +
* The game's soundtrack
 +
* A visual sourcebook
 +
* A 12.8" statue of the [http://overwatch.gamepedia.com/Soldier:_76 Soldier: 76] hero
 +
 +
==Game data==
 +
{{Image|Overwatch General.png|In-game general settings. (Launch)}}
 +
 +
===Configuration file(s) location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\Overwatch\Settings\Settings_v0.ini}}
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} Progress, stats, and controls are saved automatically by Battle.net servers.
 +
 +
==Video==
 +
{{Image|Overwatch Video.png|In-game video settings. (Launch)}}
 +
{{Video
 +
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/overwatch/en
 +
|widescreen wsgf award      = gold
 +
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
 +
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = limited
 +
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 +
|widescreen resolution      = true
 +
|widescreen resolution notes=
 +
|multimonitor              = false
 +
|multimonitor notes        = Pillarboxed 16:9.<ref name="WSGF">[https://www.wsgf.org/dr/overwatch/en Overwatch | WSGF]</ref>
 +
|ultrawidescreen            = limited
 +
|ultrawidescreen notes      = FOV is {{term|Vert-}}.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrawidemasterrace/comments/4slqpa/overwatchs_169_vs_219_explained_in_one_screenshot/|title=Overwatch's 16:9 vs. 21:9 explained in one screenshot : ultrawidemasterrace|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|4k ultra hd                = true
 +
|4k ultra hd notes          =
 +
|fov                        = true
 +
|fov notes                  = 80-103°. Defaults to 103°.
 +
|windowed                  = true
 +
|windowed notes            =
 +
|borderless windowed        = true
 +
|borderless windowed notes  =
 +
|anisotropic                = true
 +
|anisotropic notes          = Listed as '''Texture Filtering'''.
 +
|antialiasing              = true
 +
|antialiasing notes        = [[FXAA]] or [[SMAA]]. [[SSAA]] is available through the "Render Scale" option.
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 +
|vsync                      = true
 +
|vsync notes                = Triple buffering is also available.
 +
|60 fps                    = true
 +
|60 fps notes              =
 +
|120 fps                    = true
 +
|120 fps notes              = 30 FPS, display-based (value of refresh rate + 10), or custom (30-400 FPS). Menus are locked to 60 FPS.
 +
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = true
 +
|color blind notes          = Choice of Deuteranopia, Protanopia, or Tritanopia. [Incorrect implementation, Applies filter to simulate colorblindness]
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Input==
 +
{{++}} Individual control profiles for each hero are available, making it possible to have custom control settings and bindings for each one.
 +
{{Image|Overwatch Controls.png|In-game control settings. (Launch)}}
 +
{{Input
 +
|key remap                = true
 +
|key remap notes          =
 +
|acceleration option      = true
 +
|acceleration option notes =
 +
|mouse sensitivity        = true
 +
|mouse sensitivity notes  =
 +
|mouse menu                = true
 +
|mouse menu notes          =
 +
|invert mouse y-axis      = true
 +
|invert mouse y-axis notes =
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 +
|controller support        = true
 +
|controller support notes  = XInput only. For Steam controller/link, [[#Add as a Non-Steam shortcut to have the Steam Overlay|see below]].
 +
|full controller          = true
 +
|full controller notes    =
 +
|controller remap          = true
 +
|controller remap notes    =
 +
|controller sensitivity    = true
 +
|controller sensitivity notes=
 +
|invert controller y-axis  = true
 +
|invert controller y-axis notes=
 +
|xinput controllers        = true
 +
|xinput controllers notes  =
 +
|xbox prompts              = true
 +
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = false
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4              = false
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = hackable
 +
|light bar support notes  = Use [https://www.project-aurora.com/ Aurora] to add DS4 light bar support.
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= false
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers        = false
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts      = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=
 +
|controller hotplug        = true
 +
|controller hotplug notes  =
 +
|haptic feedback          = true
 +
|haptic feedback notes    =
 +
|simultaneous input        = true
 +
|simultaneous input notes  = Locking UI to either Controller or Mouse+Keyboard is possible.
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Audio==
 +
{{Image|Overwatch Audio.png|In-game audio settings. (Launch)}}
 +
{{Audio
 +
|separate volume          = true
 +
|separate volume notes    = Sound Effects, Music, In-Game Voice, Voice Chat.
 +
|surround sound          = true
 +
|surround sound notes    =
 +
|subtitles                = true
 +
|subtitles notes          = On by default in the Tutorial, but added in 2019 to missions in the Archives event, then in regular play with three levels of customization ("None", "Critical gameplay", "Critical gameplay + Conversations", or "Everything").
 +
|closed captions          = true
 +
|closed captions notes    =
 +
|mute on focus lost      = true
 +
|mute on focus lost notes = Toggle with sound in background option.
 +
|eax support              = true
 +
|eax support notes        = Dolby Atmos for Headphones, Windows Spatial Audio<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://playoverwatch.com/en-us/news/patch-notes/live/2018/12/|title=December 11, 2018 Patch Notes|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|royalty free audio        = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Simplified Chinese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Traditional Chinese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Japanese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Korean
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Brazilian Portuguese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Latin American Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Network==
 +
{{Network/Multiplayer
 +
|local play          =
 +
|local play players  =
 +
|local play modes    =
 +
|local play notes    =
 +
|lan play            = false
 +
|lan play players    =
 +
|lan play modes      =
 +
|lan play notes      =
 +
|online play          = false
 +
|online play players  = 12
 +
|online play modes    = Versus
 +
|online play notes    = Up to 6 spectators can be added to a game on top of the max player limit.<br>The official multiplayer service was shut down on October 3, 2022.
 +
|asynchronous        =
 +
|asynchronous notes  =
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Network/Connections
 +
|matchmaking        = true
 +
|matchmaking notes  =
 +
|p2p                = unknown
 +
|p2p notes          =
 +
|dedicated          = true
 +
|dedicated notes    =
 +
|self-hosting      = false
 +
|self-hosting notes =
 +
|direct ip          = false
 +
|direct ip notes    =
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Network/Ports
 +
|tcp  = 80, 1119, 3724, 6113
 +
|udp  = 3724, 26503-26597
 +
|upnp = unknown
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Issues fixed==
 +
===Overwatch process isn't being terminated when the game closes and/or changed settings are not saved===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Set the exe to run as administrator|fix=
 +
# Go to the game installation folder \Overwatch\_retail_\ and right click Overwatch.exe > Properties > Compatibility tab > Check "Run this program as an administrator" > Apply/OK
 +
}}
 +
 +
==VR support==
 +
{{VR support
 +
|gg3d name                  =
 +
|native 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision gg3d award =
 +
|tridef 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|iz3d gg3d award            =
 +
|native 3d                  = unknown
 +
|native 3d notes            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision            = true
 +
|nvidia 3d vision notes      = Works using Compatibility Mode (enabled by default). Depth-sensitive halo around weapons.
 +
|tridef 3d                  = unknown
 +
|tridef 3d notes            =
 +
|iz3d                        = unknown
 +
|iz3d notes                  =
 +
|htc vive                    =
 +
|htc vive notes              =
 +
|oculus rift                =
 +
|oculus rift notes          =
 +
|osvr                        =
 +
|osvr notes                  =
 +
|keyboard-mouse              =
 +
|keyboard-mouse notes        =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest      =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest notes =
 +
|novint falcon              =
 +
|novint falcon notes        =
 +
|trackir                    =
 +
|trackir notes              =
 +
|tobii eye tracking          =
 +
|tobii eye tracking notes    =
 +
|play area seated            =
 +
|play area seated notes      =
 +
|play area standing          =
 +
|play area standing notes    =
 +
|play area room-scale        =
 +
|play area room-scale notes  =
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Other information==
 +
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      = 11
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    =
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        =
 +
|opengl notes          =
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          =
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle support notes  =
 +
|vulkan versions        =
 +
|vulkan notes          =
 +
|dos modes              =
 +
|dos modes notes        =
 +
|shader model versions  = 5
 +
|shader model notes    =
 +
|windows 32-bit exe    = unknown
 +
|windows 64-bit exe    = true
 +
|windows arm app        = false
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|mac os x powerpc app  =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            = Wwise (XAudio2{{CN|https://www.reddit.com/r/Overwatch/comments/5u0oys/bug_report_feature_request_overwatch_has/den27za/ I mean.. That game using Xaudio2 is sure. I put CN because I dunno if you can't even use other sound providers}})
 +
|audio notes      = <ref>{{Refurl|url=http://blog.audiokinetic.com/overwatch-game-audio-using-wwise-part-2|title=Overwatch - Game Audio Using Wwise (part 2/2)|date=May 2023}}</ref>. Dolby Atmos support for headphones. Vivox for voice chat
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 +
|cutscenes notes  = 1.100n
 +
|multiplayer      = Battle.net
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
|anticheat        = Warden
 +
|anticheat notes  = W/ GuardIT anti-debug<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.unknowncheats.me/wiki/Overwatch|title=Overwatch - UnKnoWnCheaTs Game Hacking Wiki|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Add as a non-Steam shortcut to have the Steam Overlay===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use bnetlauncher|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Overwatch/comments/3tfrv5/guide_how_to_use_steam_overlay_with_the_blizzard/|title=Reddit|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 +
{{++}} With this method, manual login on every startup is not required.
 +
# Download [http://madalien.com/pub/bnetlauncher/bnetlauncher bnetlauncher].
 +
# Extract {{file|bnetlauncher.exe}} to an easily accessible location.
 +
# In Steam, add {{file|bnetlauncher.exe}} as a non-Steam shortcut.
 +
# Right-click the shortcut and go to Properties.
 +
# In the ''Target'' box, add a space and add <code>ow</code> after the full path and quotation marks. For example, it would look like {{file|"C:\Overwatch\bnetlauncher.exe" ow}}.
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Add the game executable|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}|fix=
 +
{{--}} With this method, manual login on every startup is required, even if Battle.net is running in the background.
 +
# In Steam, add {{file|{{P|game}}\Overwatch.exe}} as a non-Steam shortcut.
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Add Blizzard App executable|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}|fix=
 +
{{++}} With this method, manual login on every startup is not required.
 +
# In Steam, add the {{file|Battle.net Launcher.exe}} executable from Blizzard App path as a non-Steam shortcut.
 +
}}
 +
 +
==System requirements==
 +
{{System requirements
 +
|OSfamily = Windows
 +
 +
|minOS    = 7
 +
|minCPU  = Intel Core i3
 +
|minCPU2  = AMD Phenom X3 8650
 +
|minRAM  = 4 GB
 +
|minHD    = 30 GB
 +
|minGPU  = Nvidia GeForce GTX 460
 +
|minGPU2  = ATI Radeon HD 4850
 +
|minGPU3  = Intel HD Graphics 4400
 +
 +
|recOS    = 8.1, 10
 +
|recCPU  = Intel Core i5
 +
|recCPU2  = AMD Phenom II X3
 +
|recRAM  = 6 GB
 +
|recHD    =
 +
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
 +
|recGPU2  = AMD Radeon HD 7950
 +
|notes    = {{ii}} A 64-bit operating system is required.
 +
{{ii}} SSD can fix FPS issues in first minutes of gameplay.<ref>https://www.purepc.pl/rozrywka/wkrotce_beta_gears_of_war_5_znamy_wymagania_sprzetowe_na_pc#comment-586000</ref>
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 15:41, 30 January 2024

Warning icon.svg
This product is no longer playable in any capacity. It is covered here for historical reference.
Overwatch
Overwatch cover
Developers
Blizzard Entertainment
Release dates
Windows May 24, 2016
Reception
Metacritic 91
OpenCritic 91
IGDB 89
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Microtransactions Cosmetic, Currency, Finite spend, Loot box, Time-limited, Free-to-grind
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, Shooter
Themes Sci-fi
Series Overwatch
Overwatch on IGDB
Overwatch guide on StrategyWiki
Overwatch on MobyGames
Overwatch on Wikipedia
Overwatch
Overwatch 2016
Overwatch 2 2022

Overwatch is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person action and shooter game in the Overwatch series.

The game is no longer playable as of October 3, 2022 as it was replaced by the free-to-play sequel Overwatch 2 on October 4, 2022.

General information

Official forums
Official support sub-section
Overwatch wiki

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Icon overlay.png
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Origins Edition, Collector's Edition, Game of the Year Edition and Legendary Edition
Windows
Amazon.com
Icon overlay.png
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Legendary Edition
Windows
Battle.net (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Standard Edition and Legendary Edition
Windows
All versions require Battle.net DRM and a constant internet connection for all game modes.

Monetization

Type Notes
One-time game purchase Upfront purchase is required.

Microtransactions

Type Notes
Cosmetic The game has thousands of cosmetic items, ranging from sprays to skins, purchasable with the in-game premium currency.
Currency The game has an in-game premium currency called coins. It cannot be directly earned in game nor purchased directly at a fixed real money to in-game currency rate. You may receive it by opening both free (given at each account level) and paid (via real money transactions) lootboxes either as the direct reward from the lootbox or if one of the items you receive is a duplicate.
Finite spend The total spend is limited by the fact that you could in theory own all the cosmetic items. However, there are many thousand of low-value filler items, and you cannot directly purchase certain skins and items and must instead rely on the randomness of lootboxes, making the spend ceiling extremely high.
Free-to-grind You could, in theory, obtain all the items by grinding the game. It may take you until the heat death of the universe, but it is possible.
Loot box Overwatch was the first AAA western PC game with a sticker price to offer lootboxes, thus starting the whole trend.[1]
Time-limited Some cosmetics are seasonal and only available for a limited time.

Version differences

Overwatch: Origins Edition

This version includes the base game, along with the following extra content:

Overwatch: Game of the Year Edition

This version includes all of the content found in the Origins Edition, along with:

  • 10 in-game lootboxes

Overwatch: Legendary Edition

This version includes all of the content found in the Origins Edition, along with:

  • 10 character skins

Overwatch: Collector's Edition

This version includes all of the content found in the Origins Edition, but not the Game of the Year Edition and the Legendary Edition, along with:

  • The game's soundtrack
  • A visual sourcebook
  • A 12.8" statue of the Soldier: 76 hero

Game data

In-game general settings. (Launch)
In-game general settings. (Launch)

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Overwatch\Settings\Settings_v0.ini
Progress, stats, and controls are saved automatically by Battle.net servers.

Video

In-game video settings. (Launch)
In-game video settings. (Launch)

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Pillarboxed 16:9.[2]
Ultra-widescreen
FOV is Vert-.[3]
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
80-103°. Defaults to 103°.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Listed as Texture Filtering.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
FXAA or SMAA. SSAA is available through the "Render Scale" option.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Triple buffering is also available.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
30 FPS, display-based (value of refresh rate + 10), or custom (30-400 FPS). Menus are locked to 60 FPS.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.
Color blind mode
Choice of Deuteranopia, Protanopia, or Tritanopia. [Incorrect implementation, Applies filter to simulate colorblindness]

Input

Individual control profiles for each hero are available, making it possible to have custom control settings and bindings for each one.
In-game control settings. (Launch)
In-game control settings. (Launch)

Audio

In-game audio settings. (Launch)
In-game audio settings. (Launch)

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Sound Effects, Music, In-Game Voice, Voice Chat.
Surround sound
Subtitles
On by default in the Tutorial, but added in 2019 to missions in the Archives event, then in regular play with three levels of customization ("None", "Critical gameplay", "Critical gameplay + Conversations", or "Everything").
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Toggle with sound in background option.
EAX support
Dolby Atmos for Headphones, Windows Spatial Audio[4]
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Brazilian Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Latin American Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
Online play
12 Versus
Up to 6 spectators can be added to a game on top of the max player limit.
The official multiplayer service was shut down on October 3, 2022.

Connection types

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 80, 1119, 3724, 6113
UDP 3724, 26503-26597
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues fixed

Overwatch process isn't being terminated when the game closes and/or changed settings are not saved

Set the exe to run as administrator
  1. Go to the game installation folder \Overwatch\_retail_\ and right click Overwatch.exe > Properties > Compatibility tab > Check "Run this program as an administrator" > Apply/OK

VR support

3D modes State Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
Works using Compatibility Mode (enabled by default). Depth-sensitive halo around weapons.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 11
Shader Model support 5
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio Wwise (XAudio2[citation needed]) [5]. Dolby Atmos support for headphones. Vivox for voice chat
Cutscenes Bink Video 1.100n
Multiplayer Battle.net
Anti-cheat Warden W/ GuardIT anti-debug[6]

Add as a non-Steam shortcut to have the Steam Overlay

Use bnetlauncher[7]
With this method, manual login on every startup is not required.
  1. Download bnetlauncher.
  2. Extract bnetlauncher.exe to an easily accessible location.
  3. In Steam, add bnetlauncher.exe as a non-Steam shortcut.
  4. Right-click the shortcut and go to Properties.
  5. In the Target box, add a space and add ow after the full path and quotation marks. For example, it would look like "C:\Overwatch\bnetlauncher.exe" ow.
Add the game executable[citation needed]
With this method, manual login on every startup is required, even if Battle.net is running in the background.
  1. In Steam, add <path-to-game>\Overwatch.exe as a non-Steam shortcut.
Add Blizzard App executable[citation needed]
With this method, manual login on every startup is not required.
  1. In Steam, add the Battle.net Launcher.exe executable from Blizzard App path as a non-Steam shortcut.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 7
Processor (CPU) Intel Core i3
AMD Phenom X3 8650
System memory (RAM) 4 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 30 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce GTX 460
ATI Radeon HD 4850
Intel HD Graphics 4400
A 64-bit operating system is required.
SSD can fix FPS issues in first minutes of gameplay.[8]


References