'Overwatch' Update: Bungie Brings More Changes For Ana, Sombra And D.Va? Dev Explains PTR Philosophy, Buffs And Nerfs To Characters
Rei LantionIt hasn't been an easy relationship between "Overwatch" PTR and the fanbase. The recent nerfs to D.Va, the fiasco with Roadhog's hook, which, thankfully, is being adjusted-and the sever lack of power for Sombra have left the player base disgruntled.
While the PTR makes for valuable player feedback, "Overwatch" developers feel there's been a bit of miscommunication as to its full purpose. In this developer update, "Overwatch" director Jeff Kaplan sits down to explain the PTR philosophy and address these issues. Players can watch the full video below but this report picked out and summarized the finer points.
Public Test Realm For Players And Developers. Players view the "Overwatch" PTR as a realm to experience any upcoming in-game changes first-hand in order to deliver feedback. Kaplan mentions that the feedback is valuable and he thanks players who take the time to visit the PTR.
However, the PTR is there for developers as well. According to iTech Post, the PTR "also serves as a way for developers to iron out the bugs, glitches, etc." before they deem the latest patch ready to roll out on the live game.
Sombra Doesn't Need Power. "We don't expect Sombra to ever be some sort of vicious assassin," Kaplan said. It is a fair representation of how developer vision clashes with player expectations.
Sombra's first appearance in the "Overwatch" animated short, "Infiltration", got fans riled up with the promise of a purple-clad hacker who was fast, agile and not afraid to gun people down. Sadly, expectations were not met. According to Kaplan, the end goal is to work on her being more of a "backline disruptor" and not make it that she can "kill people quicker."
D.Va Doing Too Much. Definitely a sore spot with fans, Kaplan is firm in his belief that D.Va's nerfs were justified. "We needed to pull D.Va back so that she wasn't great at everything," he said.
Fans have taken issue with this statement, responding to the previous nerf explanation with questions such as "now what do we do with her?" and "how is she different from the other tanks?" Kaplan said they kept the important features of D.Va - mobility and shooting cadence.
Ana Heals Too Many People. While Kaplan admits that they don't "envision a drastic rework of Ana," he also said that "Overwatch" developers plan to pull back her ability to heal large groups of heroes at one time. He is quick to reassure fans that they don't "want to see her disappear" but pulling back one of her best abilities could result in another fan crisis.
The full developer update can be viewed above. Fans have already started leaving feedback and comments on his announcement via social media and the "Overwatch" official forums.
© Copyright 2020 Mobile & Apps, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.more stories from News
Discover the future of smartphone audio with Moondrop's MIAD 01. Explore its dual audio jacks and premium DACs in this in-depth review. Ready to elevate your music experience? Read now!
ernest hamiltonUnveiling Android's AI evolution with Gemini integration, Discover how AI is poised to combat scams and revolutionize security. Stay informed and secure!
ernest hamiltonDiscover how Samsung's innovative Knox Journals are revolutionizing user privacy and data control. Learn how cutting-edge features empower users to take control of their devices and safeguard their personal information.
ernest hamiltonThe latest AI breakthroughs unveiled at Google I/O 2024, from Project Astra's revolutionary AI assistance to Gemini integration in Google Workspace and Android 15 innovations. Dive into the future of technology with seamless AI experiences.
ernest hamiltonGoogle teases a new AI camera feature ahead of I/O 2024, offering real-time contextual recognition and voice interaction on Pixel devices. Discover how this innovative technology enhances your mobile experience.
ernest hamiltonDiscover the latest insights into Apple's highly anticipated iPhone 16 Pro, from its innovative display and camera advancements to powerful performance and software integration. Stay informed as anticipation builds for the official unveiling.
ernest hamiltonDiscover how a groundbreaking breakthrough in phononics is poised to revolutionize wireless technology, making devices smaller and more efficient. Explore the potential of giant phononic nonlinearities and their implications for consumer electronics. Dive into the future of connectivity today!
ernest hamiltonExplore the potential impact of Apple's collaboration with OpenAI on iOS 18. From enhanced messaging to smarter voice assistants, dive into the future of AI-powered experiences. Stay informed—read on
ernest hamilton