If you didn’t pre-order early enough to get a couple of days of extra access, or you’ve been patiently waiting for #OnlyWatch to end, good news: the Overwatch open beta has taken off.
If you haven’t already pre-downloaded the beta for Blizzard’s inaugural shooter on any of the three platforms — PC, PS4 or Xbox One — here’s what you need to do:
PS4:
Search “Overwatch” on the Playstation Store, select “Overwatch Open Beta” and download. You’ll be able to play once complete.
Xbox One:
Search “Overwatch” on the Xbox One Store, select “Overwatch Open Beta” and download.
PC:
Download the Battle.net launcher and then create a free account. Once logged in, click on the Overwatch logo on the left hand side and download.
According to Blizzard, the open beta will let players access all content and features — with one exception — that will be available at launch for the game. That’s a total of 21 characters, four game modes, 12 different maps, custom games, loot boxes and the cosmetic rewards within, and the Weekly Brawl mode.
Competitive play, or ranked play, won’t be available for the open beta. There also won’t be cross-play between consoles and PC, and the feature won’t be added to the game at launch either.
Those playing on PC will only need to download around 6.5GB of data, although the full footprint of the game is around 30GB. Gamers on PS4 and Xbox One have a 11GB download. The game’s suite of tutorials and training modes will also be available to all players. If you want at least 60fps on PC as well, you’ll need the following specs:
Operating system: Windows® 7/Windows®8 /Windows®10 64-bit (latest Service Pack)
Processor: Intel® Core™ i5 or AMD Phenom™ II X3 or better
Video: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660 or ATI Radeon™ HD 7950 or better
Memory: 6 GB RAM
Storage: 30 GB available hard drive space
Broadband internet connection
1280×780 minimum display resolution
The game will also run at full 1080p/60fps on both consoles. Eurogamer’s technical analysis found that Overwatch held that frame rate on both consoles without dropping a beat, something gamers — and Blizzard — should be very happy with.
What platform will you be playing Overwatch on — and for those who are only getting their first taste of the game now, what do you think? Mark and I like it a lot so far.
Update (9:10 AM): The open beta is live now on PC, although users aren’t able to download the game yet through the PlayStation Store. We’ll keep you posted.
Update (11:04 AM): Users should be able to download on all platforms.
Comments
17 responses to “Overwatch’s Open Beta Is Live Now”
Can’t download from the PS store yet…
UPDATE: All g, keen to play this arvo!
What did you think of it?!
DUDE! I friggin love it! I got a play of the game with a 3 player Mercy revive 😀
How about yourself?
Sorry for the late reply: I’ve been playing Overwatch hahahaha.
I really, really like it. I saw it at PAX and thought that maybe I would not have the energy to understand how to play, but I love trying out the different characters and seeing how it changes each game!
Hahahahahaha yeah I’ve been playing it like crazy. Hope uni studies don’t suffer 😛
So great you’re trying the different characters they are all so fun in their own way!!! Loving Mercy though 😉
I still haven’t worked out how to play as her, I end up getting killed pretty quickly when I play as her 🙁
I have done some configuration with the buttons. Toggling the beam is super helpful so you don’t have to hold the trigger and bumper down and staying back from the fray really helps. Try not to get in the middle of fighting as you get done over easily.
I’m a bit rusty on KB/M, should I still get this on PC?
It just occurred to me I’ve never used a Playstation pad of any sort to play a FPS.
What do.
I’m pretty rusty as well, but I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun so far.
This ain’t Counter-Strike. There’s plenty of weapons that are projectile based or characters that don’t need pinpoint accuracy, so you should be able to shake off the rust easily enough.
LOL! I’m a havta hang up mah Zimmer Frame.
Look out kids! GET OFF MAH LAWN! *BOOM*
Been playing this on PS4 since yesterday. LOVE IT.
On PC. Loving it.
Also on pc, also loving it
Played the healer monk the past hour and I love this game! Buying it.
Going to take a bit to get used to from Team Fortress 2. I do appreciate people actually going for the objective though.
Pretty great for the “1 more game factor” that’s 2 nights in a row I’ve finished up after 1am on a work night.
Really hoping the competitive mode isn’t far off. There’s been a few games decided by afkers. But unlike MOBA’s / CS you arent 90 minutes invested in a game and you’re straight back in for some more fun. Hope the feeling lasts.