Deployment schedule and installation guide

Overwatch will launch in all game play regions across all platforms at the same time globally.

Here is the time, date by each region list for Overwatch launch day.

• Europe
  • 00:00 BST on May 24
  • 01:00 CEST on May 24
  • 02:00 MSK on May 24
• America
  • 4:00 p.m. PDT on May 23
  • 5:00 p.m. MDT on May 23
  • 6:00 p.m. CDT on May 23
  • 7:00 p.m. EDT on May 23
  • 8:00 p.m. ADT on May 23
  • 8:00 p.m. BRT on May 23
  • 8:30 p.m. NDT on May 23
  • 7:00 a.m. SGT on May 24
  • 9:00 a.m. AEST on May 24
  • 11:00 a.m. NZST on May 24
• Asia
  • 7:00 a.m. CST
  • 8:00 a.m. KST
  • 8:00 a.m. JST

How to install Overwatch on the various platforms guide is also available.

WINDOWS PC:

1. Download and install the Battle.net desktop app, if you haven't already, and launch it.
2. Create a FREE Battle.net account, or log in with an existing account.
3. Allow the app to download any pending updates (this process should begin automatically).
   
   • If you purchased a physical copy of Overwatch, claim your game key in Account Management.
   • If you purchased Overwatch digitally, no additional steps are necessary!
4. Click the "Overwatch" icon, located on the left-hand side of the Battle.net desktop app.
5. Select your region from the drop-down menu: the Americas, Europe, or Asia.
   
   • If you've never played Overwatch before on PC, click "Install" to begin the installation process.
   • If you played Overwatch before, allow your game client to update to the latest version.
6. Once the game installed and updated, click "Play" to begin!

PLAYSTATION 4 (DIGITAL):

1. Turn on your PlayStation 4 and log in to your preferred local user.
   
   • If Auto Download is enabled, Overwatch should begin downloading as soon as it's available.
   •  If Auto Download is disabled, go to the PlayStation Store and select "Search" from the top menu.
2. In the search field, type in "Overwatch."
3. Select "Overwatch: Origins Edition" from the search results and then click "Download."
4. Once installed, select the Overwatch icon and press "X" to begin!

PLAYSTATION 4 (PHYSICAL):

1. Turn on your PlayStation 4 and log in to your preferred local user.
2. Remove the Overwatch disc from its packaging and insert it into the console. 
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the installation process.
4. Once installed, select the Overwatch icon and press "X" to begin!

XBOX ONE (DIGITAL):

1. Turn on your Xbox One and log in to your Xbox Live account.
   
   • If Instant-On Mode is enabled, Overwatch should begin downloading as soon as it's available.
   • If Instant-On Mode is disabled, go to the Xbox One Home screen and select "My games & apps."
2. Locate Overwatch under the "Games" tab and then click "Install."
3. Once installed, select the Overwatch icon and click "Launch" to begin!

XBOX ONE (PHYSICAL):

1. Turn on your Xbox One and log in to your Xbox Live account.
2. Remove the Overwatch disc from its packaging and insert it into the console.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the installation process.
4. Once installed, select the Overwatch icon and select "Launch" to begin!

Patch Notes 1.0.2.0.27001

Patch notes for closed beta start on February 9, 2016, Overwatch game client version 1.0.2.0.27001.

New Features:

New Game Mode: Control
In this update, we’re introducing a brand new game mode: Control. On Control maps, two teams fight over a series of objective areas in a best-of-three format. When a team is in control of the round’s objective area, they will make progress toward capturing it, and whichever team gets to 100% first wins the round. Each round (up to 3 total) will feature a new objective area located in a different part of the map.

Two Control maps are currently available for testing: Lijiang Tower and Nepal.

New Control Map: Lijiang Tower
Lijiang Tower was built in the heart of a modern Chinese metropolis, its busy streets lined with stores, gardens, restaurants, and famous night markets, where foods from around the region are available at all hours. The tower itself is home to one of the leading companies in China’s state-of-the-art space industry, Lucheng Interstellar, an organization with a long pioneering history that is currently pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

New Control Map: Nepal
Years ago, a group of omnic robots experienced what they described as a spiritual awakening. They abandoned their pre programmed lives to establish a monastery high in the Himalayas of Nepal, where like-minded omnics could gather to meditate on the nature of their existence. Led by their spiritual leader, Tekhartha Mondatta, they took over the ruins of an ancient monastery and turned it into the home of the Shambali, a place where omnics and humans alike make pilgrimages in the hopes of finding a greater truth.

New Play Mode: Play vs. AI
No interest in playing against humans? No problem! Players can now team up and battle against A.I.-controlled characters in our new, aptly named mode: Play vs A.I.

To join a Play vs. A.I. game, select "Play" from the main menu and then select "Play vs. A.I." You can queue up solo or in a party, and you’ll be matched into a 6 player vs. 6 A.I. game.

New Feature: Player Progression
While we strongly believe that playing Overwatch should feel exciting and rewarding on its own, we also know how fun it can be to work toward long-term goals. To this end, and as a way to thank you for your time invested, we’ve added a brand new progression system to the game.

Progression in Overwatch is built around earning earning experience and leveling up your account. Moving forward, you will now gain experience by completing Quick Play and Play vs. A.I. games. Earn enough experience, and you’ll level up. Level up and you'll receive a Loot Box!

Loot Boxes contain a random selection of items that can be used to customize the look of your hero and express yourself in-game, including skins, animations, emotes, custom dialogue options, sprays, and more. In addition to collecting these items from Loot Boxes, players can also unlock them by spending a new in-game currency called credits.

Players can customize their heroes, view items they’ve unlocked, and spend credits to unlock new items in the Hero Gallery.

Closed Beta returns February 9

Overwatch closed beta is coming back online February 9, 2016!

The next round of testing for Overwatch will be starting soon, focused on testing new features which included the following:

• New Progression system
• Two New Maps
• New Game Mode
• Hero balancing updates
• Private Game Updates which will include full A.I matches

If you had access to the closed beta before you should be enabled to continue to test thru this next phase of testing.  If you did not have access, Blizzard will be added more players to the closed beta over time.

The closed beta for Overwatch will be enabled in the Americas and Europe regions on February 9. Asia region will start up February 19.

For more information check the following blog entry at the official Overwatch website!

Symmetra first look video

Video clip showing a round using Hero Symmetra during the beta weekend stress test.

For more on Symmetra, check the following links:

Symmetra's abilities / stats

Compare Support Heroes

Zenyatta first look video

Video clip showing a round using Hero Zenyatta during the beta weekend stress test.

For more on Zenyatta, check the following links:

Zenyatta's abilities / stats

Compare Support Heroes

Mercy first look video

Video clip showing a round using Hero Mercy during the beta weekend stress test.

For more on Mercy, check the following links:

Mercy's abilities / stats

Compare Support Heroes

Lucio first look video

Video clip showing a round using Hero Lucio during the beta weekend stress test.

For more on Lucio, check the following links:

Lucio's abilities / stats

Compare Support Heroes