'Overwatch' news, update: Blizzard changes the way heroes move on PTR

Promotional image for Blizzard's online role-playing game "Overwatch," featuring the roster of playable heroes Facebook.com/PlayOverwatch

A new "Overwatch" patch has been released on the Public Test Realm (PTR). While the patch will not affect the gameplay in a big way, the changes will help the players in controlling some heroes' actions. Particularly, Blizzard will fix the way the playable characters "move and accelerate" through the latest patch.

The game director of "Overwatch" himself, Jeff Kaplan, announced the changes to be expected from upcoming patch. Kaplan said in the game's Battle.net forum that the patch will address the issues raised by some players regarding the awkward movements of heroes. Not all playable heroes were reported to have problems, although the changes will be applied to everyone in the roster systematically.

"Movement on the ground is much more consistent," Kaplan stated. "Going up/down inclines will no longer affect the Hero's speed. Previously, inclines could either make you move slightly faster or slightly slower, depending on the circumstances.

With the latest "Overwatch" update, players will no longer have to worry about their characters sliding through an inclined surface, as the "strafing movement" caused by diagonal motion will be limited. To further illustrate the movement changes, the game director cited Winston, which some players are having difficulty to use, especially when adjusting his movements upon making a leap. After the patch, his ground movements will be much smoother, as well as for those heroes known to spend most of their time in the air.

The latest "Overwatch" update will increase the players' productivity in the game, with the heroes' movements now made easier to control. However, Kaplan warned in advance that the patch might also introduce some unwanted changes. If ever the players noticed a strange bug on the PTR, they are advised to report it right away before the update formally reaches the actual game.

Based on the reactions in Kaplan's forum post, there are no negatives responses yet pertaining to the update. Although, some players have already reported about Lucio's shaky movements.

The latest "Overwatch" PTR update has no patch notes, as the game changes will not require a patch update.

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