Support NeoGAF

[SOR5]

That's very exciting

 

[Hari Seldon]

Overwatch 2 pls!

I know everyone is giving you shit for this, but honestly I wonder how Blizzard expects to monetize Overwatch going forward. There is literally zero push for people to actually spend money beyond the initial purchase... unlike say HS or a MOBA. They already said that maps and updates are free, which is the traditional path for FPS games. I'm not complaining about this of course, Overwatch is amazing and it is great for the player. But unless they release a sequel quicker than people expect, I don't know how they can turn this into the moneymaker that something like HS is, or HoTS was intended to be.

 

[Speely]

I know everyone is giving you shit for this, but honestly I wonder how Blizzard expects to monetize Overwatch going forward. There is literally zero push for people to actually spend money beyond the initial purchase... unlike say HS or a MOBA. They already said that maps and updates are free, which is the traditional path for FPS games. I'm not complaining about this of course, Overwatch is amazing and it is great for the player. But unless they release a sequel quicker than people expect, I don't know how they can turn this into the moneymaker that something like HS is, or HoTS was intended to be.

Sure, maps and heroes/updates are free. Expansions might not be, and they could potentially monetize anything they wanted to with an expansion(s). I see them expanding the scope of what Overwatch is in a fashion that extends beyond map or hero updates. Remember that this game was pared back from a MMO. They could conceivably build back into that, step by step, all the while capitalizing on the new features.

I think this a more likely approach for them than making a sequel any time soon. It just makes more sense given the insane popularity of the game right now.

 

[JaseMath]

Overwatch campaign?

I might actually purchase the game if this was true.

 

[Mobius and pet octopus]

First person view survival horror

Or

Open world/sandbox survival (like ark/dayz)

Or

First person stealth action

Those are my bets.

 

[Kent]

If it's not (or if it is, I suppose) a solo/co-op campaign for Overwatch, then I really hope it's something new, that they've never done before. The people at Blizzard are very creative and do really interesting things when they get impassioned about something, as evidenced recently with Overwatch (and Heroes of the Storm, for that matter - which has basically ruined other games in the genre for me due to being so much more fun to play).

I'd love to see them try their hand at a character action game or traditional RPG or something.

Spoiler

inb4 it's a Minecraft killer.

 

[spongebob340]

With the Junkenstein PVE brawl and the cancelled Comic, my guess would be a Co-Op Story mode.

If ture, I think blizzard will print money with this as they can sell you like $ 10 Raids and missions ....

We will see.

 

[Nirolak]

So, just to repeat myself from earlier, they have a separate Overwatch team with lots of job postings.

I know everyone is giving you shit for this, but honestly I wonder how Blizzard expects to monetize Overwatch going forward. There is literally zero push for people to actually spend money beyond the initial purchase... unlike say HS or a MOBA. They already said that maps and updates are free, which is the traditional path for FPS games. I'm not complaining about this of course, Overwatch is amazing and it is great for the player. But unless they release a sequel quicker than people expect, I don't know how they can turn this into the moneymaker that something like HS is, or HoTS was intended to be.

Activision was bragging about how much money the seasonal events make.

 

[GlamFM]

So, just to repeat myself from earlier, they have a separate Overwatch team with lots of job postings.


Activision was bragging about how much money the seasonal events make.

Maybe Destiny´s success inspired them to re-explore what Overwatch was supposed to be originally.

What was it called? Titan or something?

 

[Nirolak]

Maybe Destiny´s success inspired them to re-explore what Overwatch was supposed to be originally.

What was it called? Titan or something?

While I don't think a loot game is 100% off the table, Destiny 2 is a 1000+ person project and Blizzard's biggest team ever is like 1/4th that.

This is part of why they make the types of games they do. They can't outfit a team for several of the proposed suggestions to modern expectations.

 

[legbone]

Please don't let them ruin Blackthorne...


They're going to ruin Blackthorne, aren't they?

 

[Azoor]

They had changed the plotline too much from what was made.


Mike Morhaime isn't interested in greenlighting games that don't have eSports potential, so not only is that unlikely, but I'm curious to see what they do with Diablo 4 PvP.

This is the first time I am hearing of this, where did he say that ?

 

[GlamFM]

While I don't think a loot game is 100% off the table, Destiny 2 is a 1000+ person project and Blizzard's biggest team ever is like 1/4th that.

EDIT: What the fuck am I talking...

 

[Trickster]

This is the first time I am hearing of this, where did he say that ?

Just look at the game's they're making.

Went from doing amazing campaign focused games, to hearthstone, hots and overwatch

 

[Nirolak]

This is the first time I am hearing of this, where did he say that ?

I'm having a bit of trouble finding the quote where he's even more explicit about this, but here's a similar one: https://www.google.com/amp/ventureb...s-of-games-and-the-next-25/amp/?client=safari

GamesBeat: Blizzard has a preeminent position in the industry right now as far as the ability to influence the future of esports. With how much growth has happened and all the things occurring to make that a mainstream entertainment choice, what kind of effort do you see Blizzard making to keep that going? Will you choose to be at the forefront of esports, or do you want to focus on game development?

Morhaime: We’re at a stage where you can’t really distinguish esports from game development anymore. If you’re going to create a competitive game and it’s going to be popular, you have to have an esports ecosystem around the game. For us it’s all part of delivering an epic entertainment experience for our players. It’s a key part of our strategy going forward.

We’re increasing our investment in esports to make sure that the production quality of these tournaments is high. We’ve learned a lot by having esports be a central part of BlizzCon all these years. We’ve been able to leverage that experience in things like Heroes of the Storm on ESPN. If that were our first tournament, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve the production quality we did last year. I don’t think ESPN would have been as impressed as they were or as interested in working with us again this year.

Esports is just going to grow in importance and popularity as it relates to games. I agree with you. It has the potential to achieve a much higher mass-market reach. It’s really fun to watch.

 

[Meia]

I know everyone is giving you shit for this, but honestly I wonder how Blizzard expects to monetize Overwatch going forward. There is literally zero push for people to actually spend money beyond the initial purchase... unlike say HS or a MOBA. They already said that maps and updates are free, which is the traditional path for FPS games. I'm not complaining about this of course, Overwatch is amazing and it is great for the player. But unless they release a sequel quicker than people expect, I don't know how they can turn this into the moneymaker that something like HS is, or HoTS was intended to be.

They release emotes/skins/maps for free, but they still keep some ideas for skins/emotes for holidays only. So long as they release batches of these every few months, people will buy crates every few months. Can't imagine that's nothing for them but nearly pure profit.

 

[CoLaN]

I feel like they are limiting themselves big time if they focus too much on esports (i really dont like this word).

There is a huge crowd that wants immersive and lore rich games from Blizzard to play, not necessarily ultra competitive stuff.

 

[Azoor]

Just look at the game's they're making.

Went from doing amazing campaign focused games, to hearthstone, hots and overwatch

The released Legacy of the Void last year and it had a Single player campagin.

I'm having a bit of trouble finding the quote where he's even more explicit about this, but here's a similar one: https://www.google.com/amp/ventureb...s-of-games-and-the-next-25/amp/?client=safari

Interesting, maybe they'll change this philosophy in the future.

 

[Interfectum]

I know everyone is giving you shit for this, but honestly I wonder how Blizzard expects to monetize Overwatch going forward. There is literally zero push for people to actually spend money beyond the initial purchase... unlike say HS or a MOBA. They already said that maps and updates are free, which is the traditional path for FPS games. I'm not complaining about this of course, Overwatch is amazing and it is great for the player. But unless they release a sequel quicker than people expect, I don't know how they can turn this into the moneymaker that something like HS is, or HoTS was intended to be.

I'm pretty sure Blizz is making a killing off loot boxes, especially the Halloween one. I'm guessing Christmas gonna be even bigger.

 

[Nirolak]

I'm pretty sure Blizz is making a killing off loot boxes, especially the Halloween one. I'm guessing Christmas gonna be even bigger.

"Summer Games content for Blizzard’s Overwatch drove record engagement and participation in in‐game customization items."

"On October 11, 2016, Blizzard launched its Halloween Terror event for Overwatch. The event included Overwatch’s first‐ever player versus environment game mode and a variety of new Halloween‐themed customization items. The event drove even higher engagement and participation than the Summer Games event."

http://files.shareholder.com/downlo...Q3_2016_ATVI_Press_Release_with_Tables_vF.pdf

 

[Principate]

I feel like they are limiting themselves big time if they focus too much on esports (i really dont like this word).

There is a huge crowd that wants immersive and lore rich games from Blizzard to play, not necessarily ultra competitive stuff.

Multiple and competitive games are litterally Blizzards mainstay and what they're known for. For as great as SCi was it's continued relevance was based on it's multiplayer not it's campaign, same with litterally everything else Blizzard has done. Arguably Blizzard story campaigns have gotten worse over the years not better anyway.

 

[Trickster]

The released Legacy of the Void last year and it had a Single player campagin.



Interesting, maybe they'll change this philosophy in the future.

LotV is a continuation of one of the older series, from back before they started focusing heavily on f2p and competitive pvp games.

Unless I'm mistaken, not counting expansions, Blizzard's last 3 new games were Hearthstone, then HotS and finally Overwatch.

 

[Falk]

Metroid Prime ft. Nova

 

[veloxStrix]

Blizzard now making 4th batch of Call of Duty games.

 

[nortonff]

I couldn't care less about Blizzard lately.

 

[wild wild rice]

Very cool. Prolly Half-Life 3 or Metroid Prime 4, but who knows, could be anything really. Jumping Flash! 3?

 

[Noisepurge]

under Activision finally going Call of Duty so just Overwatch 2 next year?

 

[jett]

Blackthorne revival, let's go.

 

[Finale Fireworker]

Wow - a game featuring a person. I can't believe nobody has thought of this before.

I am looking forward to the first "person" game. Do you think it will be about a person or just feature one? This is uncharted territory so they can really do anything. Pretty cool honestly.

If it's bad then maybe the second person game will be better.

Spoiler

I am extremely tired.

 

[Kayhan]

 

[Compsiox]

It's going to be that jet boots free2play shooter but with overwatch art style.

 

[Nirolak]

LotV is a continuation of one of the older series, from back before they started focusing heavily on f2p and competitive pvp games.

Unless I'm mistaken, not counting expansions, Blizzard's last 3 new games were Hearthstone, then HotS and finally Overwatch.

They've been pretty explicit that StarCraft II: LotV was a holdover from another era.

"As it relates to the realtime strategy space, that’s one of those areas where—if we were going to continue to evaluate experiences in realtime strategy, we need to figure out what that means by today’s standards. Legacy of the Void did great. We reached millions of players with it. We have a passionate and loyal following. But I don’t know that people want to sit down and play 45-minute missions anymore. That space might need some reinventing. Even though it’s a space we already operate in, that offers us some pretty exciting possibilities."

http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=1183838

 

[ThatGuy]

I'm eagerly waiting for my Dark Souls inspired first person Diablo game.

 

[InPlosion]

Would kill for a battlefield like game set in the starcraft universe.
Like natural selection, but bigger.

 

[Napalm_Frank]

Alien vs Predator with Starcraft skin pls.

 

[xealo]

It has to be a mistake. They love to milk their games, so it has to be Overwatch related. It's unthinkable that they might be working on a new IP this early. It would be shocking coming from Blizzard.

Nobody outside Blizzard really knows what it means at this point. The fact Overwatch was their first new IP in 18 years and how wildly successful it is could also signal they're trying to branch out from their usual settings.

 

[Arion]

Hopefully new IP. Overwatch does not need a single player IMO.

 

[CoLaN]

Multiple and competitive games are litterally Blizzards mainstay and what they're known for. For as great as SCi was it's continued relevance was based on it's multiplayer not it's campaign, same with litterally everything else Blizzard has done. Arguably Blizzard story campaigns have gotten worse over the years not better anyway.

I've been playing Blizzard games since the 90s so i know that, but when i say immersive i dont mean single player.

Its just that i dont see the focus on e-sports as a good thing, competitive tournaments were the result of very good games, but now they are doing it backwards.

I feel like the number of concurrent Overwatch players (not total) is decreasing every day (and it's not high at all), even if people always talk about it. Sure, people spend money during seasonal events, but they stop playing shortly after that again.

 

[Auctopus]

Tracer: An Overwatch Story

I can't stand her dialogue for the 0.25 seconds she spends near me each match, I don't think I could stand a campaign.

 

[Belgorim]

I feel like the number of concurrent Overwatch players (not total) is decreasing every day (and it's not high at all), even if people always talk about it. Sure, people spend money during seasonal events, but they stop playing shortly after that again.

Do we have any solid numbers on this? What are you basing this on?

 

[Plesiades]

Just figure out whatever is wildly popular that blizzard hasn't copied yet and that's your answer.

Survival games.

 

[Azoor]

LotV is a continuation of one of the older series, from back before they started focusing heavily on f2p and competitive pvp games.

Unless I'm mistaken, not counting expansions, Blizzard's last 3 new games were Hearthstone, then HotS and finally Overwatch.

Hearthstone does have a single player mode, with bosses and everything. I think it's called solo adventure or something like that.

 

[Interfectum]

Hearthstone does have a single player mode, with bosses and everything. I think it's called solo adventure or something like that.

The adventure mode is completely throwaway and only serves to give players cards for competitive play.

I have a feeling Gwent is going to show how to make a real 'single player mode' in a CCG.

 

[Akronis]

LOL @ Single Player suggestions. Some of you guys haven't been paying attention.

Yea no way it's singleplayer.

 

[ToyMachine228]

I don't think Blizzard will be putting out another Overwatch title anytime soon. They will continue to support and evolve Overwatch as they do with all their games. This must be a new project. As others have stated, maybe a StarCraft tie-in of some sort. Survival game against the zerg?

 

[Interfectum]

I don't think Blizzard will be putting out another Overwatch title anytime soon.

Yeah, the only Overwatch related content I see coming would be for passive media and a mobile title. There's no way they are working on Overwatch 2 already.

 

[JetBlackPanda]

Overwatch FPS mmo please.

 

[Plesiades]

Overwatch FPS mmo please.

I have some bad news for you...

 

[∀ Narayan]

It would be awesome to see an Overwatch campaign. I bought the game on sale, but it really hasn't grabbed me because of Titanfall 2.

If they ever revive StarCraft: GHOST, I would hope that it stays as a third-person stealth game. But I don't see a StarCraft project like that happening.

 

[Hari Seldon]

"Summer Games content for Blizzard’s Overwatch drove record engagement and participation in in‐game customization items."

"On October 11, 2016, Blizzard launched its Halloween Terror event for Overwatch. The event included Overwatch’s first‐ever player versus environment game mode and a variety of new Halloween‐themed customization items. The event drove even higher engagement and participation than the Summer Games event."

http://files.shareholder.com/downlo...Q3_2016_ATVI_Press_Release_with_Tables_vF.pdf

I'm glad this is true because it really benefits players (like myself) that don't care about skins at all lol. But I am still skeptical on the math that holiday loot box sales could earn anywhere near a similar amount of profit as DLC drops and/or annual releases like other franchises do.

The more I think about it, the more a single player/co-op overwatch campaign makes sense. You can pump these out as fast as you can make them, fill them with skins for multiplayer, and have the best of both worlds.