The way forward for the Overwatch League is trying a bit much less sure this week. With the Activision Blizzard buyout seemingly going forward, and the OWL Grand Finals arising, issues appeared a bit brighter than a couple of months in the past. Nonetheless, a current supply from Blizzard to the franchise holders of the workforce have thrown that into doubt. OWL Franchises have been supplied $6 million to go away the League.
In a quarterly earnings report, Activision Blizzard has supplied updates on the fee and income of tis numerous esports. With Hearthstone esports principally shut down, Blizzard’s important occasion proper now’s positively the Overwatch League. Declining viewing figures have been happening for some time now although and franchise holders of the League have more and more been public issues dealing with them given the hefty charges to function a workforce. The OWL is trying to clear up that drawback with OWL franchises supplied $6 million to go away the League solely.
![OWL franchises](https://www.esports.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OWL-2021-Format-Update-1024x576.jpg)
© Overwatch League
OWL Franchises Supplied Tens of millions to Go away the League
One workforce has already stepped out of the League this season. It has been pressured to make use of Contenders groups in a single half of the competitors. Whereas a enjoyable technique to open issues up, this solid numerous doubts on the way forward for their franchise system. This required workforce house owners to purchase a slot within the league for big charges. That’s as an alternative of earn a spot like contenders groups may. This new amended format this 12 months felt like a bizarre midway cease between a contemporary system and Overwatch’s extra controversial franchise system. It appears like Blizzard is trying to change the format solely although. Or simply hand over on aggressive Overwatch as a complete.
Blizzard will likely be implementing a brand new working settlement. This could implement modifications to the settlement, one thing which has even led to them in search of collective authorized illustration towards Blizzard previously. The groups will vote on an upcoming working settlement. In the event that they don’t vote to proceed, a termination price will likely be paid to every of them. OWL Franchises have been supplied $6 million every within the termination price.
Different sources have indicated one other 50 individuals have been laid off in Activision Blizzard esports this week simply forward of this information. This all makes the modifications a bit clearer, however the way forward for aggressive Overwatch could be very a lot unsure.
Way forward for the Overwatch League
The commissioner of the Overwatch League has stated the corporate continues to be dedicated to persevering with the League. Given the quite a few issues dealing with it although, that termination price would possibly look tempting to franchisees.
With the OWL franchises supplied $6 million to go away aggressive Overwatch, we may very well be an entire restart. This may be the time for the Overwatch League to change to a extra open democratic format for esports. It’s a system for aggressive gaming that works properly for free-to-play video games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. With rising layoffs in Blizzard esports and dwindling viewer numbers although, we may be trying on the finish of Overwatch esports.