Overwatch, Blizzard's new franchise

Blizzard has announced a new franchise today - Overwatch. A highly stylized team-based PvP multiplayer shooter with unique classes from different places around the world. It will enter beta next year.

Every match is an intense multiplayer showdown pitting a diverse cast of soldiers, mercenaries, scientists, adventurers, and oddities against each other in an epic, globe-spanning conflict.

Overwatch Gameplay demo

Characters

Currently there are 12 announced classes. Each one is unique in terms of control and combat role.

Tracer

A former British test pilot who shrugs at danger, can execute impossible acrobatic assaults thanks to her ability to teleport, drop energy bombs, and even reverse time.

Reinhardt

A hulking German soldier in battle armor, can charge great distances and pin his enemies to a wall or slam the ground with his rocket hammer to knock them off their feet.

Hanzo

A bow-wielding Japanese mercenary, has the ability to scale walls with his bare hands, fire off a tracking device that illuminates nearby enemies for his team, and unleash a huge spirit dragon that does grievous damage to all enemies in its path.

Symmetra

an Indian architech, manipulates light and energy to shield her allies and damage her enemies - and she can turn the tide of any battle by building a device that instantly transports her teammates to the front lines.

Winston

A genetically engineered gorilla, who just so happens to be a scientist. Tesla cannons, jump pack, shields, and Primal Rage.

Bastion

A robot with guns, mines, a cannon and more.

Reaper

Pistol wielding terrorist. He can turn into a wraith, has shadow step (teleport), death blossom, and more.

Torbjorn

An engineer with a rivet gun, forge hammer, turret, and more.

Widowmaker

Assassin with no emotion. Sniper rifle, grappling hook, and mines.

Zenyatta

A monk with orbs. Immunity to damage?

Pharah

A soldier with rockets, jet pack, concussive blasts, and more.

Mercy

A guardian angel, which can heal. She's also a scientist.