Blizzard's online multiplayer first-person shooter "Overwatch" is pushing its e-sports aspect further with the Overwatch League. The League has grown into a city-based model, much like any professional sports league. The League also announced that they would start selling team jerseys, both in the virtual world and in real-life.
The real-life jerseys were made available on Dec. 6. The wide range of apparel included shirts, sweaters, jackets, and snapbacks, all bearing the emblems and names of Overwatch League teams.
A promotional photo of the jerseys shows several of the merchandise. For example, Florida Mayhem's jersey sports red lettering on a mostly yellow background. London Spitfire has the team's logo emblazoned on a blue background.
Of course, being an e-sports league, there will also be virtual jerseys available for the characters in "Overwatch." These digital uniforms will be available early next year and will be sold as skins for the game's 26 characters. The skins can then be used in-game to show the player's support for their favorite Overwatch League teams.
There are already some skins for "Overwatch," usually released as part of special events. While previous skins can be gained through loot boxes, the Overwatch League digital uniforms will require a different method to obtain.
Blizzard will implement a new currency called "league tokens, " and the digital jerseys can only be bought with this new currency. Upon launch, Blizzard will give each "Overwatch" player enough tokens to get one League jersey for free.
The game developers said that the separate method was made so that it will be easier to split the profit between the developers and the teams.
Blizzard has announced that the Overwatch League pre-season will start on Dec. 6 and will end on Dec. 9. The regular season of the League will begin on Jan. 10 of next year.
