'Overwatch' 2.29 news: Update adds new Blizzard World map, patch notes revealed

Promotional image for the Blizzard World map from "Overwatch" Overwatch

Blizzard's "Overwatch" is overflowing with new content right now, as the developers have implemented update 2.29 and added a new large map and cosmetic additions.

Developer Blizzard is adding a new Assault/Escort map in the form of Blizzard World, which is essentially a homage to the "Warcraft" universe from the same developer which has spawned several games, including "World of Warcraft," the most popular massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) right now. Apart from "Warcraft," the new map will also include Blizzard's "Starcraft" and "Diablo" franchises in its references and assets.

The developers are adding the new map so that players can "[r]elive where [they] took [their] first steps in Azeroth, where [they] confronted the Lord of Terror, and where [they] spawned [their] first zerg rush." Basically, the new update is a Blizzard version of digital Disneyland for "Overwatch" players.

The map will then feature a miniature version of Azeroth, Tristram, and the Koprulu Sector, which are the main game worlds of the titles mentioned above. Players will be able to play against one another in the said miniature recreations while recognizing their favorite things from Blizzard's other games.

One thing to note, however, is that the map will be disabled for competitive play until the start of Season 9. This means players will have to make do with Blizzard World in Quick Play and Custom Games at the moment until it becomes available for ranked matches.

Apart from the new and nostalgia-inducing map, the new update also includes lots of new cosmetic options, which amount to as much as 100 new costumes stuffed into loot boxes for "Overwatch." These cosmetics have been inspired by Blizzard World Overwatch animated shorts and more about the franchise. Some of these include legendary skins like Barbarian Zarya, Black Cat D.Va, Crusader Reinhardt, Ecopoint: Antarctica Mei, Kabuki Hanzo, and emotes such as Mercy's Parasol, Sombra's Marioneta, and Tracer's Bomb Spin.

These are all now available in "Overwatch" for the PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

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