New 'Overwatch' features include spectator mode, key to esports future

LOS ANGELES -- Blizzard dropped a developer update with exciting new additions to Overwatch this week, including some that address various issues that have plagued its esports community.

The update came unannounced Wednesday night, with two new heroes, new maps and character evolutions. But the improvements to its spectating tools are what will make the biggest impact -- at least in competitive play.

It's known throughout the Overwatch community that the game's spectating tools are underwhelming: you can't see team ability cool down times, there's no mini-map on screen, and there's no camera on the objective point. It was these shortfalls that made some doubt whether Overwatch was a viable game for esports.

Fortunately for Blizzard, it addressed these issues with some pretty nifty spectating tools -- at least, they sound that way, as the updates have only been announced and are not yet available for testing. Changes include the ability to bookmark locations and players with hotkeys; cameras at objective points, including the "moving payload"; and a steadier motion camera.

Here are the four other major improvements that will come with Blizzard's Overwatch update, which has not yet been given a release date:

New Heroes

Among the 22 diverse Overwatch characters (the newest being Ana), we can expect two new heroes in the pipeline. One is assumed to be Sombra, hinted at since June. Sombra is apparently very far along in development and will "see the light of day soon," Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan said in the announcement video (below). We don't know much about the other hero, only that it's a prototype and wouldn't be ready for release until next year.

Nerfs and Buffs

Overwatch fans are no strangers to nerfs -- Torbjörn, McCree, and Widowmaker can attest. This next round will effect Genji, who use to be able to dash and destroy Junkrat's trap, but now gets caught. Part of that nerf is to help bring back Junkrat's viability in matches, who has been virtually left behind in competitive play. We may see Junkrat in more teams now that he can counter Genji and charge his ultimate faster. Widowmaker will also have the ability to quick-scope more efficiently.

New Maps

A total of at least four different maps are currently in development. Two for an existing game mode, and two in the works for a new game mode. Kaplan explained that in working on the maps they want to be sure that every hero can be used in each one.

New game modes

Details for the new modes were very scarce, but we were assured that they were being worked on so we're still hopeful. This is no doubt an important part of keeping the competitive scene interested in Overwatch so we're glad to see it get Blizzard's attention.

Check out the full video below: