Overwatch is a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment and released on May 24, 2016 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. Described as a "hero shooter", Overwatch assigns players into two teams of six, with each player selecting from a roster of 30 characters, known as "heroes", each with a unique style of play whose roles are divided into three general categories that fit their role. Players on a team work together to secure and defend control points on a map or escort a payload across the map in a limited amount of time. Players gain cosmetic rewards that do not affect gameplay, such as character skins and victory poses, as they play the game. The game was initially launched with casual play, with a competitive ranked mode, various 'arcade' game modes, and a player-customizable server browser subsequently included following its release. Additionally, Blizzard has added new characters, maps, and game modes post-release, all free of charge, with the only additional cost to players being optional loot boxes to earn cosmetic items.

It seems like only yesterday that Overwatch hit retail after a lengthy beta phase, but over the last year or so so we've seen plenty of updates in the form of new heroes, maps and even new gameplay modes. Whether you've been part of the action since the very earliest Alpha days but have since taken a break, or you're coming to the game completely new, there's now a huge amount of gameplay information to wrap your head around. If you've found yourself sticking to a handful of the same heroes since launch, it can also be hard to expand your repertoire and find a new niche to master.

"Soldiers. Adventurers. Scientists. Oddities"

In a time of global crisis, an international task force of heroes banded together to restore peace to a war-torn world. This organization, known as Overwatch, ended the crisis and helped maintain peace for a generation, inspiring an era of exploration, innovation, and discovery. After many years, Overwatch's influence waned and it was eventually disbanded. Now in the wake of its dismantling, conflict is rising once again. Overwatch may be gone... but the world still needs heroes.

As well as helping total newcomers by providing a very broad overview of all things Overwatch, we've also made sure there are clear links out to all of our other guide content as well: heroes, maps, the team build and more. If you want to dig deeper into a particular area of the game, make sure you check these other articles out while you're here. They each contain detailed information that's guaranteed to make you a better Overwatch player, and much more quickly than if you just dive in without any knowledge of the hero or map in question.

So take a look at this book and see what interests you!