Cross-Play support is coming to Overwatch

Blizzard has announced that Overwatch is getting cross-play support, allowing gamers on consoles and PC to play together online with a unified friends list. This change will also allow players to play with people outside of their geographic region, with China being the only exception. 

When this feature is fully implemented, console players will have the option to disable the feature, limiting matchmaking to their own platform. Additionally, Blizzard has confirmed that Overwatch’s Console players will be separated from PC players unless they play with a PC gamer in their party, as Blizzard believes that mouse/keyboard players have a competitive advantage. PC gamers will not be able to disable cross-play. 

All of Overwatch’s console players will soon be required to make a Battle.net account, as Blizzard’s PC gaming client will act as the hub for Overwatch’s unified friends list and matchmaking. After making a Battle.net account, gamers will also need to link their Xbox, PSN and Nintendo accounts to their Battle.net account. PC gamers won’t have to do anything. 

As a reward for creating a Battle.net account, Blizzard will be rewarding all Overwatch players with a Golden Loot Box if they play the game after the launch of cross-play. 

Blizzard has asked Overwatch’s console players to prepare for the game’s cross-play update by creating a Battle.net account. A Cross-Play Beta for Overwatch should be available soon to download, allowing Overwatch fans to test the feature before launch.