In the latest patch to hit the Overwatch PTR servers this week, Overwatch have finally released an in-client replay system that will grant players the ability to watch back their games. With this update, players will be able to watch their ten most recent matches from multiple vantage points.
In an online interview earlier this week, Vice President of Blizzard Entertainment Jeff Kaplan gave a few insights over the hurdles that had to be overcome to bring this replay system to light, and noted some key restrictions within the replay function that are still present because of these changes. Also in the Patch Notes, D.Va once again receives a nerf as Baptiste, Orisa and McCree gain some quality of life buffs to aid their gameplay.
Since the release of Overwatch in 2016, players have voiced their frustrations at not having an adequate replay system in game, even with the highlight system in Overwatch attempting to do that already, the functionality of highlights were completely nonexistent in the client without using third party software. According to Jeff Kaplan, since the beginning Blizzard have been crafting the necessary tools to bring that system online, and this first installment of replays on the PTR server will be a gigantic hurdle to overcome if it gets working smoothly.
© Blizzard Entertainment
With the initial seed planted, Kaplan hinted that there are still plenty more functionality settings that are being worked on and improved in order to make the game, and its replay function, more immersive than ever before. There are, however, limitations to the system due to the way data is recorded and how it’s transmitted across those mediums. For example, Kaplan highlighted the constant patch updates will be a stressor in the way you save replays due to the system constantly having to update data from the previous version.
Watching a replay from an old patch on a newer replay client, as described by Kaplan, would make crazy visual bugs occur in the replay system due to the client not being able to code two different versions of the game at once. These intricate technical issues have caused some hangups, but Blizzard’s Vice President has assured the Overwatch fan base that the best is yet to come for Overwatch in terms of their replay capability, and how players and content creators will be able to interface with that content when saving their games.
Bit by bit, Blizzard continues to chip away at D.Va’s most potent defensive tool in her kit, and rightfully so. The Defense Matrix is a massively potent tool when used correctly, and limiting the range of this skill will make aiming that much more of an issue when using the Matrix to absorb key projectiles/ultimates.
Baptiste’s introduction to the meta has been well received, but there’s still room for him to be improved without making him oppressive in comparison to other heroes in his role.
© Blizzard Entertainment
A good little quality of life buff for Orisa that will only make her more functional in frantic point defenses.
For a full list of the gameplay and cosmetic updates being implemented into the game via the latest PTR Patch, please refer to Blizzard’s official Patch Notes and forum for the latest discussion on all things Overwatch.
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