Overwatch® is Blizzard’s Biggest Open Beta Ever with 9.7 Million Global Players
Blizzard Entertainment’s futuristic team-based shooter launches on
PS4™, Xbox One, and PC starting May 24
IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#overwatch–Blizzard Entertainment today announced that more than 9.7 million
players around the world played its upcoming team-based shooter Overwatch®
during the Open Beta for PlayStation®4 computer
entertainment system, Xbox One, and Windows® PC, making it
Blizzard’s biggest open beta ever. By the time the Open Beta came to a
close on May 10, participants had joined forces for more than 4.9
billion minutes (over 81 million hours) across more than 37
million matches of intense competitive action, incredible teamwork,
and all-out fun.
“We’re thrilled that such an incredible number of players from around
the globe got a chance to check out Overwatch during the Open
Beta,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment.
“Our mission was to make sure as many console and PC gamers as possible
could experience the full game ahead of its launch—the response was
overwhelming, and we hope that everyone had a blast.”
In Overwatch, players choose from a diverse cast of 21 heroes—each
with their own unique arsenal of extraordinary weapons and incredible
abilities—and team up to complete objectives on battlefields set in
locations around the globe. Blizzard’s first-person shooter will arrive
in stores on Windows PC, PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system,
and Xbox One starting May 24. Heroes from around the world can join the
coming conflict by pre-purchasing Overwatch today at www.playoverwatch.com/buy.
Overwatch will be available in English, Latin American Spanish,
Brazilian Portuguese, German, European Spanish, French, Italian, Polish,
Russian, Korean (PC only), Japanese (PC and PS4™ system only), and
traditional and simplified Chinese (PC only). Overwatch has been
rated T for Teen by the ESRB.
For more information about Overwatch, visit the official
website. For screenshots, videos, and other media, visit the
Blizzard Entertainment press site at http://blizzard.gamespress.com/overwatch.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®
and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo®
franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com),
a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer
and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of
the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s
track record includes nineteen #1 games* and multiple Game of the Year
awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the
largest in the world, with millions of active players.
*Sales and/or downloads. Based on internal company records and
reports from key distribution partners.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking
Statements: Information in this press release that involves
Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies
regarding the future, including statements about Overwatch, including
with respect to its launch date, features, and gameplay, are
forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of
risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard
Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those
expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release
include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the
risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report
on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The
forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information
available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the
date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision
Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may
ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of
the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard
and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which
are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially
from current expectations.
Contacts
Blizzard Entertainment
Rob Hilburger
VP, Global Communications
949-242-8404
dir
rhilburger@blizzard.com
or
Andrew
Reynolds
Global Public Relations Director
949-955-1380 x14301
areynolds@blizzard.com
or
Steven
Khoo
Public Relations Manager
949-955-1380 x12508
skhoo@blizzard.com
